I finally bought my fig tree on Saturday. It's not in the ground yet.  I did buy a Celeste and it does have figs on it.  It's about 4 1/2  - 5 feet tall with a caliper of about 1 1/2 inches.  I bought it at a local nursery chain - I know I can hear the moans of the members already!  I just don't have the time to run around to different independents to see what they have.  I may get another one to put in the front yard to replace a red tip photinia that is dying (about 25-30 years old).

I had one neighbor cut the unruly post oak tree that has been hanging over my property line from the other neighbors yard.  They will NOT take care of their tree, so I did it myself.  I've hated that tree for years, or I should say I've hated the lack of care all of the owners have not done over the years.  The amount of dead wood on it was disgraceful - and annoying to say the least.  Anyway - it's gone :) :) :)

Now the planting part - it was over 70 today in the DFW area !!!!!  Should I plant it soon?  I know it will get cold and we will have some snow this winter - just don't know when.  We usually have a real cold snap for a day or two in Dec. with ice and a flurry or two, then again in Jan Feb and maybe March.  Last year we had 2 snowstorms back to back that dropped a total of 15 inches!!

When I do plant it, should I protect it from the colder elements when the time comes?  If so, how would I do that with such a small tree?

When I upload the pictures I took of the "other" bad tree, I'll post the before and afters.

Thanks for the suggestions, look forward to reading them.

Jo-Ann

Hi JoAnn,
Congratulations on your first fig tree!

If there is a chance of a hard freeze in your area, I would plant the tree in the springtime.
In the meantime, you may want to practice rooting a cutting from your tree. That's when the addiction really kicks in.

Frank

Congrats! If bought at a nursery chain, I sure hope it isn't mislabeled. That happens quite often. Pics of the figs could help folks here ID it.

Jo-Ann,

If the tree is actively growing, do not set it out yet. Wait til the danger of frost is past. Good luck!

Hi JoAnn,

As far as the weather goes, you are between a rock and a hard place.  If you have a way to cover it (i.e. a trash can that is tall enough, or something), I would plant it sooner rather than later.  With the tremendous heat we get and the expectation the drought will continue, you want to give the roots as much time to establish themselves beforehand.  If we get a cold spell between now and then, cover it, and it should be alright.

Also, from past experience, I would recommend removing most, if not all, of the growing mix from around the roots.  Most likely your trees growing mix is lighter than your ground soil.  The roots will continue to want to grow in it (path of least resistance).  Also, the ground soil will wick the water out of the growing mix.  Neither of which will be good when summer rolls around in March.  Make sure to check for RKN before you put it into the ground.

All of the trees I bought at local nurseries (less one that hasn't fruited yet) have all been mislabeled and have all been 'Celeste'.  I never set out to buy this variety, but serendipitously, it is one of the better ones I have.

Good luck,
~james

How do I check for RKN?

Good advise from James. Search RKN in this forum. Lots of info with pictures -- watch out for the galls. Good luck.

When you remove the growing mix from around the roots (you should do this while standing in the drive way, street in the front yard, or a least favorite neighbor's yard) check the roots for galls.  As Paully mentioned, finding pictures of what the galls look like is not difficult. 

A word of caution: Many of the pictures show a heavy infestation which is not always the case.  Examine the roots thoroughly.  Also, rinse off the roots (again, not in the yard) before inspection.  Sometimes, components of a growing mix, slow-release fert and snail eggs can resemble RKN galls.

Second word of caution: RKN travels very little on it's own.  It's mobility is measured in inches per year.  It gets around on the dirt we move (wind, water, shovels and other garden tools, shoes, hands, tires/wheels, etc.).  Avoid getting the growing mix from the tree around your yard.

~james

The hazard of reading and posting on the forums late at night is I sometimes misread the post.  I thought James meant to check the soil in my yard for RKN. LOL Ooops!

Sorry about the size of the pictures - I haven't done this is a while.

The nursery suggested tree and shrub mix when I plant it.  The general consensus here is to not add anything to the soil?!  My plans are to have some kind of planting/beds in the area - here are pictures of the area I'm speaking of, the arrow shows where the tree will go.  I want some plants, flowers, herbs from the tree towards the house to the garage, and to the side of the house.  Maybe hydrangeas on the west side of the house since it gets heavy shade.





This is after the hideous post oak branch (my neighbors tree - they don't take care of it) was removed this past Saturday. Looking South



Looking North from the West side of the house


And of course the little fig tree!


Thanks again for the advise and tips. 

Jo-Ann
DFW

Jo-Ann,

The area does not look very large for all the plants you want to put there. You will have to keep your Celeste severley pruned or it will grow to take up that entire space in several years. Here is a Celeste in my area...

EDIT: Having trouble posting the pic