So I know summer is still going pretty strong, but I've already begun thinking about what to do with my newly planted figs come wintertime.  I've decided to try this method for protecting my figs as I have ready access to some hardware cloth and hay.  Instead of plastic or a tarp around the outside of the hardware cloth I was thinking about trying these: ShrubJacket covers.

How about frost blanket it may be less expensive

Tim, those are nice-looking covers. Probably worth trying, especially if aesthetics are a concern.

Daygrower, How would a frost blanket be better than these except for the cost factor?

I guess I would want to know what level of protection do they provide when it comes to DEGREES.  

I may give the shrubjacket a try if only for convenience sake. It looks very easy to pop one over a tree and be done with it. Thanks for posting.  

I contacted Cynthia VanRenterghem @ Plumstone & she said "if you need temporary over-night protection from a cold snap, ShrubJacket will keep the plant 5 degrees warmer than the outside air.  If you're going for an over-winter temperature differentiation, ShrubJacket will NOT help.  Frankly, anything that will insulate the plant long-term, will also suffocate it very quickly if temperatures get much above freezing.  Unless you are trying to grow a plant that doesn't really survive in the zone you live in, your shrub should be cold-hardy to your area winters.  What SJ is protecting from is the winter wind and sun that can dry out the plant when it can't access water because of frozen roots.  It's also a great protector against deer and rabbits."

SO, I hope that helps some....so I guess it all boils down to what you want the ShrubJacket to do, and can it do it???

That doesn't sound very reassuring. My fig doesn't need a rain coat it needs a winter parka.

LMAO, BLB very well put. I too need something tough for our Harsh Canadian winter's for my 2 inground trees.

So this spurns a thought about winter protection and what we're trying to accomplish in wrapping a tree.  

Hi Tim,
The best and cheapest method I've tried is using a piece of Carpet. There are plenty to find around, there are always people who throughing away carpets. I wrap it around the tree a couple times, then a couple layers of tarp around it. This shrub jacket seems good for small hardy shrubs, that only gives it an extra 5° of protection.
I wouldn't waste money on it, and most importantly save my tree.

Tim
I use frost blanket on cold hardy palms in containers I generaly put it over the whole block of palms and leave it on all winter checking under it a couple of times.
Bass is right things like the shrub jackets and frost blanket don't keep out a lot of cold they keep frost off and also help with wind.
I have left part of a block of palms out with no protection and they were dead by Christmas and the ones under the blanket had no damage at all over winter.
So there is more to keeping a plant alive over winter than just how much cold it recieves.
But if I lived way up like you I would probably use the carpet idea

I know that Bill (saxonfig) buries his trees in trenches for the winter.  I know Jon has asked him to take some photos of this process for future reference.  Hopefully Bill can shed some light on it.

As far as free carpet...check out a forum called "Free Cycle".  Each metro area in the US and other countries usually have them.  Essentially a listing of what is available, what people are seeking & the general location of said item.   Items are FREE, and you essentially "agree" not to ever resell these items and if/when you are done with them, if there is life remaining in them, that they then get re-freecycled.   Or Craigslist.

Last winter while visiting my parents in Georgetown, TX I noticed the neighbor had covered their plants with similar covers.  They where basically a lightweight water resistant material with a draw string at the base and some little button to hold the string tight.  The problem was the wind would get caught up inside the bag and lifted it like a balloon and while we where there that afternoon 4 of their covers flew off.