Ok, it looks like my wife and I are going to try to move this summer. I have four unground trees, they are not super big, so it should be as bad. They have only been in found 3-4 years. I think in an ideal situation I would take cuttings or air layer them since three of them are not uncommon trees. The problem is this winter killed them basically to the ground. I have seen some green under the bark a few inches off the ground, but no signs of life so far So, I figure since the trees will look half dead anyway, maybe I should try to dig them out. If I do this I figure I will cut back all the dead branches then dig around basically the circumference of the mulch and go down as deep as I can. Is this a bad idea considering how badly they were damaged this past winter. Does it matter? How much root do I need to get? I figure I will put them in a 15g or larger if need be pot with 5-1-1 mix until we have a new house. What do you guys think? 

The fewer leaves there are the fewer roots you need, but the more roots the better.  If you dig out a 15 gal pot's worth I can't imagine doing better.  Don't move unless you get acreage!     :)

Before you cut, pour water on all the trunks. The ones that look "greenish" are still alive. The ones that still  look grey/brown even when wet are dead. Cut away all the dead ones.

When digging out roots, think diameter, not depth. And 10-15 gal of roots should support any of those trees in the pics.

It's worth a try.  Chances are if the roots are alive they will send up new shoots.  Good luck

Thanks guys, I'm guessing 15g from the diameter of the circle... I'll try it. Thank god the ground is very soft. Bob, I'm going to try land is expensive in NJ..... Gene, I can see its most red at the tops and dried out. The very bottom is hard to tell.

I would be inclined to pot the up now, before they leaf out, in preparation for the move. It seems to me that they will suffer less shock being dug up while dormant.

Yeah, I'm going to try it. Now I just need the time! I'm thinking this weekend or sooner it the weather cooperates.

Thanks, but no helpers. Just me as usual.

Hi 71GTO,
What strains are those ? Just nosy :)

Ok, so basically, you say that they are dead to the ground.
For me, they look bushy, and now I think they need a bit of cleanup just IMO .
They don't have big foliage, so they don't need that much of roots - just some ... You get it ? No ?. Ok here is what I would do :
I would water the trees, I would take an axe, and separate each stem into a new tree . The axe is to cut the dirt, not the stems :) .
I would give them a square of dirt of 30 centimeters and 40 centimeters in depth if you can .
I would leave one stem in place - untouched.

So what do you have now: something like 2 rooted one stem shaped trees of each and one backup in the dirt .
Of course, they could all already be toast ... But if they want to come back from the dirt at their "former place" , you could then later take those new sprouts ...

If you are going to dig them up, I would just make sure that there is still something to save.
So I would wait to see foliage before digging them up .

One if my neighbors planted a big root shoot from a figtree from her dad (she said! ) and so far I don't see any leaf ... So she perhaps just did the work for nothing at all ...
Of course, until July, nothing is lost, and her tree might leaf out at ground level somewhere in July...

They are an unk That I like, hardy Chicago, Mbvs, and a Brunswick. I plan to cut them back more. I have been cutting them as it's clear the branches are dead. I figure since I'm selling I will try to do them up and see. Since I would probably do it anyway if they are dead. Probably would look better to buyers without dead looking trees or stumps in the yard. Thank you for the detailed answer.

Just pop 'em out of the ground. Any plant that is dormant should transplant fine providing the root system isn't too mauled (10 gallons and up should show little or no transplant shock, I'd think). Check out this thread where Jimmy dug out a substantial tree and transplanted without a problem. See post #32.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/cold-hardy-fig-cuttings-for-postage-6328707?&trail=50

Ok, one down two maybe three to do. I think I got a decent amount of roots. It ended up going in a 25g pot. It looks dead pretty card down, but I don't care as long as it comes back. 

Great job!  That looks like a winner there.  25 gal should be plenty until you get her in the ground.  Good luck!

Nate

Ok, one more out of the ground. This one had some small shoots and a little activity. Hopefully It keeps going and isn't shocked to bad by being dug up.... One more to go. I agree with Rich, this is one of he best places to be. Although, I have thoughts of moving to other places for all kinds of reasons, I like it here. I can't leave Pizza!!! No one try to tell me the pizza is just as good where your at. I know thats not true.

You're right about that.  I gave up pizza to leave the crowds and the noise and the pollution.  I've never been sorry.