I unwrapped my oldest in ground tree the other day. To my surprise it looks great! I couldn't believe it because of the harsh winter. Actually today I seen a few signs of buds starting already.
Here are some pictures of the unwrapping.
The tree is about seven or eight years old.
I started by tying up the branches, then wrapping with burlap, then insulation, and lastly a tarp.

The bad thing it makes a perfect home for mice or voles.
I did have some other trees that didn't fare so well. Not because of the cold winter but due to a vole. Ate all the bark to the ground. Oh well I have backups.

Art, That is a good looking tree.  Do you think that it maybe a little to early here? We can get some cold night here. Good luck with it.

Bugs, I was anxious to see if there was any damage. I will throw a blanket over it if and when we get frost.
Did I ever give you a plant with the name Fuda Dark?

Forever an Optimist, I think this is great news!

Suzi

That's great. Hope you get some figs from that one this year.

Nice work, Art. My only in ground tree died back to the roots this year. It's a four year-old LSU Tiger. It's usually fine wrapped up in a burlap coffee bag underneath a plastic tarp, but this was no ordinary winter.

Rich, Last year this tree didn't break bud until May 30th. It still ripened a boat load.
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/finally-breaking-bud-6366033?pid=1278211156#post1278211156

Matt, I was surprised myself. This winter was horrible!

Art, No never gave me that Fuda Dark. What can you tell me about it?

Good job Art, you took the time last Fall to prepare your tree properly for a cold winter, and it paid off. Hope the figs are as sweet as ever!

Bugs, I have a spare for you. Check this link out from last year. I put them on a pizza.
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/another-fig-pizza-delicious-6559500?pid=1279828971#post1279828971

Art,
Very nice work protecting that fig tree!
To keep mice and rodents away I place an open jar of moth balls at the base of the tree before I wrap it.
Have you tried this method?
I use bags of leaves but the insulation might be easier, thanks for sharing your method!

Mark, I don't think I lost anything to the cold. If I could just keep the mice out of the in ground trees:(

Shailesh, A local man who's been growing figs for a long time showed me how to wrap with burlap, insulation, and tarp.

So that is what it looks, I remember how. Thanks for the spare. Hope to be able to see your place this year.  I may uncover my inground Hardy Chicago tomorrow,  just to see what is going on with it.

Paul, I used pantyhose filled with moth balls. It worked on this tree, but not the others.

Bugs, The forecast is looking good for a while.
I have an Oleander for you also. Was brought over from Italy.

Yes we talk about that last year, can't wait to see it in bloom.

Looks good art, glad to see something still alive in western pa after this winter. I'm curious what varieties made it for you through the winter?

Travis, Most of my in ground trees are unknowns. I have 11 trees in ground. Seven of them are looking good. The other four were basically eaten to the ground.
All of my potted trees, way too many. All are good.

Glad to hear good news after this winter!

Congratulations!  I wrapped mine with Christmas lights inside.  When the temps went under 15 the Christmas lights went on.  My tree typically starts to break bud in late May so I wont know until then if it survived.

Side note: if anyone in Pittsburgh's looking for burlap coffee bags, stop by Prestogeorge in the Strip. They sell them out front for a dollar sometimes, and sometimes they'll give them away if you ask.

That's great news Art ! Congrats !

Thanks matt for the tip. I will have to stop down there, I was planning on using coffee bags as a planter for veggies then use them to protect figs in winter.

Art good for you , also have an older Oleander that was a cutting from Italy some years back and always store it in pot in garage for the dormant season.

I wander if you could use some fine wire mesh on the ground  around the  plant sorta like a scantion to prevent the mice from coming in. also painting the tree with some glue and hot pepper and why not some little poison for them to have   in a container, so it won't  spill on the ground for the tree.  

It is a nice looking tree. I have a few trees from you and I treasure them.  My calabria is full of little brebas. Very Nice.