Many of the fig trees that grow in The Bronx are multi-trunked, but many have a very thick, single trunk. I know of two trees that have 6" diameter main trunks, which tells me that they have been growing for quite a few years without major die-back affecting the older wood. I'm hoping these older trees are not badly damaged, and that they will bounce back to good health. I drove by these trees and the owners have cut the branches. The trees look sick. I hope they ain't dead.
This past winter has been like no other winter that I could recall. From December, right through March we were relentlessly frozen solid! NYC is rated Zone-7, especially in areas off the Long Island Sound, but we rarely get temps. that plunge into the low teens, or colder. Most winters, we really get Zone 8-9 temps. Yes, we can, and do get cold spells, but warmer temps usually quickly follow. Most winters are moderate with temps ranging from the mid 20s, throught the 40s. Not last winter! Bitter cold, with biting winds....with no breaks. The 'kiss-of-death' for figs. This past winter, in NYC and surrounding areas it was a true Zone 6-7. From what I'm seeing as I drive around, no fig trees escaped damage. All have that toasted, rusty coloration, and that peculiar, "off-colored" look, along the main trunks/stems. The fig trees just don't look healthy. But, as Pete documented, most will re-sprout from the base, and re-grow from the roots up.
For us who grow in the colder climates....All it takes is one bad winter, and years of work and naturing gets wiped out. Honestly, growing figs in large containers is a lot of work and can be a real p.i.t.a. at times, but it's really the only way to escape the ravages of a really bad winter. In ground trees are always at risk -unless the growers protect their trees. Even protected trees can be damaged by mold, rodents, disease, etc. It's a gamble. A cool garage, or temp-controlled storage area can be a real asset when it comes to over-winter fig trees. My trees died because I screwed up. This coming winter will be different. I will take the necessary precautions from now on.
Many here, have told tales of death and destruction of their fig collections. It's a miserable feeling, a botanical groin-kick, to see frost-burnt damage, and not a spark of green, anywhere, on the prized trees. I'm truly sorry to read about all the losses for so many growers posting on this forum. It's a sad tale, hopefully, with a story with a happy ending.
From now on, I will grow my new trees with far more attention to details. (Growing fig trees is easy...keeping them alive through the winter is the hard part).
Frank