if I'm going to winter protect my trees, can I put in trees that rooted in the early spring? We're talking foot tall trees. 

I would have them indoors somewhere. Why risk the time and effort that you have invested. Would you put a baby outside in the snow, even with a blanket (winter protection). Patience is a virtue.

They will most likely die completely. 

I agree with what's been said.  The timing is off for your climate. 

I've had good success going from the baggie straight into the ground.  They have to go in late enough to miss any "significant" freeze.  They can't go into the ground too late to where the roots can't keep up with the demand for moisture and nutrients in the heat.  In Austin, TX my time frame is January and February and into March.  After that seems to be too late.  Your timing will vary depending on your weather.  There is an advantage to this.  The trees I've put into the ground seem to outpace container grown trees by about 1.5X.  I did not do any specific experiment with this.  It is just an observation, but certainly a method I will be utilizing more next year.

Sounds like I'm digging some stuff up this weekend. 

Tim,

Better safe than sorry. I always recommend keeping young trees indoors for the first one or 2 years.

Has anyone in the N.E. tried planting a first year in the ground?  Most all of my first year cuttings which froze over the last two winters, came back from the roots the following spring.  Granted, the winters here are not so long nor does it get so cold as it does in NJ, and ground doesn't freeze too deeply (if at all).  The past several winters were cold enough to freeze about 99% of all trees younger than 5 years old.

If you have an extra tree (or a tree you feel you can live without) already in the ground, try leaving it there.  Once dormant, cut off most of the top and mulch around it deeply.  It may come back next year more strongly than if you had not planted it.  The information you gain will be helpful in planning next years trees.

there are greater risks when overwintering young figs. dont dig them up yet, leave in ground until fall then digb them up once dormant.

there are greater risks when overwintering young figs. dont dig them up yet, leave in ground until fall then digb them up once dormant.

I agree with Bass, if their already planted in ground leave them til dormant. I'd make sure when I dig em, that plenty of soil stays with the root ball. You can plop it back in the same hole come spring.


luke

James, I did plant one in ground in it's first year and it survived, but I don't think it is a good practice. It was planted close to my neighbor's home. 

These are all on a south facing wall. But I will based on the responses I'll  let them be until the fall. I will say that they've taken off like a shot since they went in ground. 

I planted a RdB 3 weeks ago that was started in Jan. Life is short, it is a spare.