This year is the 1st that I've had fig trees in the ground and just finished covering them up for winter. Hopefully I didn't wait too long since it's been unseasonably cold here. Anyway, I wrapped the trees losely with burlap then covered with a PVC tube. The tube was then wrapped with black plastic vinyl flashing and a black trash bag. I composted the root area outside the tubing pretty high to try to protect the roots. Here are my questions:

My dad and father-in-law (both off the boat Italians) advised me to provide some kind of ventilation. Is this necessary? Can I just vent the top somehow or do I need top and bottom ventilation?

My dad also advised me, after I wrapped everything up, to provide some kind of rodent barrier. Any thoughts on how this can be accomplished?

Finally, I considered filling the PVC tube with some kind of insulation. Can I fill the tube with compost or something similar or would the added moisture just lead to rot? I'm pretty confident that the setup is wind proof so I gain some comfort from that.

Thanks in advance!

Ciao Seven, where you are located?? If I was you, I would not have the outside covering black, it will attract too much heat in the early spring and you will have a mess inside when you unwrap. cover the tree on outside with a white plastic type of material, put a bucket or some kind of hard covering on the top so the tree doesn't get ANY water inside which will cause mold. I can't answer any of your questions about the pipe. I never worry about ventilation with covered inground trees, sometimes rodents will work their way inside and eat the skin off your branches and eventually kill tree. Sorry couldn't be more help, but these are some things I would advise for you now. Ciao!

You will get tons of write-up by clicking the search button in the top right area of the F4F page and typing  "Winter Protection" in the keywords field.

Thanks! Italiangirl74, I'm located in SE PA, about 50 miles west of Philadelphia. The black plastic isn't in contact with the tree so I thought it would be OK since there is an air layer between the tree and the pipe. Maybe I should reconsider that approach. I'm a bit worried about mice now too, although I haven't seen any rodents in the area...we have a neighborhood fox who takes care of them (and squirrel and rabbits).

OttawanZ5 - thanks for the link...looks like I have lots of reading to do over lunch now!

Ciao 7,,, yes, still reconsider your current covering, it doesn't matter if touches tree or not, still will causing very very absortion of heat into the mummy when sun start to intensify in the early spring., which is not good. Good luck! Ciao

Fathers know best!

snag, so do alot of us Mamma's :)   Much health!

If the tree is small enough I have used a rubbermaid plastic garbage can to cover the plant, and poke some ventilaion holes near the top on the sides of the pail.  I dont like platic bags because they trap the heat which can lead to rot on the warmer days.