I have seen the alot of winter forcast say this comming winter will be a worse than last year. with that being said we got record snowfall and lows. the trees i didnt lose we so stunted, my hardy chicago didnt come back till aug. so i think once the trees go dormant i will cut them back to one node and mulch deep, hope for the best. any thoughts.

I would mulch without cutting back. I don't think opening the stem to the elements is good.

Opinions?

I have opened a lot of Persimmon seeds and they all have spoons in them. All I can do is hope all my in ground trees make it. I lost all of them to the ground last winter
and this one may be wet and colder. dfoster25 I think you are right. If I do make any cuts I put tree coat on the cuts.

Dave hopefully it won't be as bad this winter. Do you plan on using anything for rodents?

Hi garden_whisperer,
If it's still alive, there is still hope.
Check my post on winter-protections and keep the stems at up to the height of the trashcan.
ho well, those trees are not mine but yours :) .

Well, US Energy Department is now saying it'll be a relatively mild winter: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/10/07/us-expects-lower-home-heating-bills-this-winter/16849895/. It also says it could change since the polar vortex pattern is still in place.

I'll winterize regardless, better safe than sorry. Fingers crossed!

Kelby we may have heard the same report. The one I heard also said something like this -- the average gas heating bill last year was $680 for the year, and this year the predicted average bill will be $660.

Considering we had one of the worst winters in memory, I would think that a $20 difference in the season's bill suggests a slightly warmer-than-last year winter, which still means a super cold winter. Not mild.

Thoughts?

How about this one (sorry to hijack your thread, Dave): http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/lead01/off01_temp.gif

3 month outlook for temperature looks above average for the North and NE...granted that only gets us to December. Even the short term is generally above average, so here's to more figs ripening!

Here's the climate prediction site at NOAA, a nifty tool. One of those things I'm glad my tax dollars go to!

Kelby, from your mouth to God's ear.

I know the farmers almanac was right on the money last year when so many others were not. It clams this year will be worse. Already had a few days down in the mid thirties. But that's weather in the Midwest for ya. I have not.really protected any trees to see how cold Hardy they were. And I have to many to wrap them all.

I think a mound of mulch is a good idea.  I plan on doing the same.  Should give at least a couple degrees of protection.  I can't see any reason to clip the top.  You don't gain anything.  If you don't clip, maybe it dies, maybe it doesn't.  If you do clip, it definitely dies. 

If I don't clip and it dies I gain nothing. If I clip at least I get cuttings.

How so you guys even do this? Colder than 50 and I go into hibernation. Forget about gardening. Can't believe you even make it to work with your temps.

THE THINGS FIG NUTS DO FOR THIER FIGS,

wrap em up and tuck em in for winter.