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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Help! My Fig Trees aren't Leafing out.
 
 


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Coolmule01

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad I found this forum--it's been very helpful so far, but I think I need some more direct help. 

I inherited five fig trees, brown turkey I believe, when I rented my new apartment in Brooklyn, NY. I moved in last July when the trees were in full leaf, bright, and beautiful. They had just been trimmed back to avoid the power lines and I ended up with two gigantic harvests of delicious figs. I'm not sure how to age fig trees, but the neighborhood is very old Italian, the building is old as well, so I think they could be 20+ years old. 

Brooklyn had a terrible winter this year--very cold with a lot of snow. Spring has also been cold, so I believed the trees might just be late bloomers this year. I did nothing for the trees over the winter because they were so well established. It is May 7th today and so far there is not a single sprout or leaf on any of the trees. I went around testing the trunks by taking a little bark off and there was green underneath, so I think the trees are alive. As I go around testing twigs and branches to see if they can bend but not break, most break. 

I haven't done anything too drastic to the area, turning up the topsoil and planting a little grass, which I have never had in the area. I've been watering the grass and therefore the trees as well. The weather recently has been getting warmer, but I can still be around 40 degrees in the morning some days. 

I attached a picture of the trees from last June and will take more pictures of the current trees if I need to when I get back from work. 

[j10tg0] 


Should I prune the trees, keep watering them like normal, and hope for the best come June/July? Should I just leave them alone? I haven't cut them back at all since last year, but I'm afraid of killing the trees if they're alive. I'd hate for the one year I've had these fig trees to be the one where all of them die!

-Adam
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
They'll be fine.  There may be some die-back but where there's green, there's life.  My in-ground tree doesn't usually bud until late May and that's with an ordinary winter.  I wont know if this horrible winter has killed it for a while.
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Zone 6, MO

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Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
Rewton

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
A lot of us are seeing green shoots come up from the base of the trunk.  Have you check for new growth there?  There's a good chance the the trunks (i.e. the thickest stems) and the root system still have some life in them but sometimes it takes a while for new growth to appear from these areas of the plant.
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Steve MD zone 7a
Coolmule01

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rewton
A lot of us are seeing green shoots come up from the base of the trunk.  Have you check for new growth there?  There's a good chance the the trunks (i.e. the thickest stems) and the root system still have some life in them but sometimes it takes a while for new growth to appear from these areas of the plant.


Nothing is really green on the trees--just underneath the bark. One of the most pliable branches was at the base of one of the trees, but still no shoots. I'm keeping a close eye on them, however, so I'll keep looking.
Coolmule01

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcantor
They'll be fine.  There may be some die-back but where there's green, there's life.  My in-ground tree doesn't usually bud until late May and that's with an ordinary winter.  I wont know if this horrible winter has killed it for a while.


Do you think I should cut back some of the die-back or keep them where they are and play the waiting game?
GeneDaniels

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Pour some water on the trunks and branches. Whatever parts look greenish, they are alive. The parts that stay the same brown/grey color as when dry, they are probably toast. But even if the trunks are dead, you may have growth emerge from the roots. I would not cut for at least another month. Maybe even mid June. Older fig trees are tough.

I know I am a lot further south (zone 7b), but most of the figs here broke bud later than normal because of the hard winter and cold spring. So I would guess that will be the case in  your area too.
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Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow.  Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coolmule01

Do you think I should cut back some of the die-back or keep them where they are and play the waiting game?


Never second guess a fig tree, they're smarter than you are   :)

I got a lot of die back at the end of last year because of an unexpected freeze.  The tops of a lot of branches looked dead.  Of the 3 deadest looking ones, 1 has continued to shrivel and is probably really dead.  1 looks the same and I'm waiting for an obvious declaration.  1 has budded out of dead looking wood that now has swollen and looks less dead.

Generally potted trees bud out before in ground trees.  Most of mine were budded out almost 2 weeks ago.  there were about 12 plants that showed no signs of life but no signs of death, either.  There were another 5 or so that were tiny and looked pretty hopeless.  Of the 5) 2 have budded.  of the 12) 4 have budded.  There's still hope for the rest. 

Cut no branch before its time.  Give fertilizer.  Patience.
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Zone 6, MO

Wish list:
Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
Coolmule01

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Thanks for all the great information! 

I'll assume all fig trees are smarter than I am--I don't doubt that. I'll feed them and be patient and see what happens. I'll post updates on how it goes!
jdsfrance

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Hi Coolmule01,
Fertilizer and water. And I would wait until beginning of July.
You want to keep the thick trunks as they store more energy . So before cutting, think about it four times ...
The stems even if dead can be left in place and be used as stakes for the new stems that might show up at some point .
But remember: you're the boss at your home :)
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Climate from -25°C to + 35°C
Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here
Chivas

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
A lot of my potted trees are late in breaking buds, several have so far and others are sprouting from trunks.  My in ground have all died to the ground and are starting to push up growth from the roots.  Some of the trees I cut earlier have dried out at the top of the cut.  I would cut later on to see where the growth comes from and avoid the cracking.
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rafaelissimmo

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Hello! I am here in NYC, I have yet to see an in-ground tree break bud here so you are not alone. Both my in ground trees had major die back, even with protection.
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Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
As others have said, don't cut yet. If there are parts that are still alive, you wouldn't want to accidentally cut any of that that is. You can always cut out the dead stuff later. No need to rush - pruning now won't help.
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Smaritza

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
I'm glad someone started this post because I was thinking the same thing. I'm also in NYC and my trees haven't leafed out either! There are 3 that I suspect are goners, but I am hopeful and keeping my fingers crossed.
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Smaritza
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nycfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
A lot of us are in the same boat.  Look at this recent thread.
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psilva8

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sppsp
 I'm glad you posted this too. Since I was also thinking same as you. Here in Allentown, the lattarulla fig is still dormant.


My lattarulla is also still dormant.
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farowyn

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Same boat. Most of my potted plants are still dormant here in 6a. I'm patiently waiting.... And I got a nice distraction yesterday, my UC Davis package....woohoo. Great birthday present!!
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Jeff Central OH- Zone 6a Wish list-anything that will ripen in zone 6a.Souadi(obsessed with this one), Takoma Violet, Col de Dame anything -currently rooting: MBVS, DK, RdB, VdB. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead
Joe_Athens1945

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
In the we-are-in-the-same-boat catagory, my young pomagranate has yet to begin leafing out, here in a Zone 7b in Georgia. Best I can tell, it is either dead or just in a deep sleep. Maybe dead, but the branches seem pliant for the most part, so we shall see. The nursery that I bought it from says to give it a few more weeks to wake up, a wonderful comment from them.
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My young trees in the ground and in pots: Brown Turkey, White Triana JM, Magnolia, Strawberry Verte, Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, UK Brooklyn Dark JP, Ronde de Bordeaux.
 
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mrfrosty

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
What a winter it was! I live in eastern NC and my fig tree is about 4-5 weeks behind with leaving out.  It normally does so by the beginning to mid April, now it is mid May, and I only see several leaves starting to unfurl.  I guess the best thing to do is watch and wait.  By summer you'll have a better picture of what the damage (if any) truly is and you can prune back the dead wood.  Look for signs of "weeping" sap along the the trunks as this will tell you if the sap is rising up. At least this is what I noticed on my tree.  Good luck!
Gofigure

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
Had 9 in-ground since last summer to be impacted by the low temps here in 7b. All but 3 have new growth. Some had very brown branches that eventually turned green and life returned slowly from the ground up. 
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ATL, GA, Zone 7b In ground varieties (22):Osborne Prolific, Conadria, Petit Negri, O'Rourke, Hardy Chicago, Texas BA-1, Alma, Celeste, Kadota, Green Ischia, Brown Turkey, Black Mission, Violette de Bordeaux, Texas Everbearing, Magnolia/Brunswick, LSU Purple, Dark Portuguese, Black Greek, Ronde de Bordeaux, Champagne, Dark Portuguese, Hybrid 0023. 
Rooting: Excel, 187-25, 291-4, 143-36, Cole de Dame, Calvert, Vernino, Santa Cruz Dark, Pastilliere, St. Jean, Barnisotte, Native de Argentile, VdB, Osborne Prolific.
gte534j

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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Hi,
It is May 26, 2014 and i am also concerned about my fig tree not sprouting leaves because of the extremely cold winter. Every other tree in Virginia has full leaves and my fig tree is without leaves. I checked today and it has some very small sprouts on a 2 of the main trunks that are about 5" in diameter. The tree is 7 years old and is about 15' tall with 4-5 5" diameter trunks. It is south facing and is protected by the brick front of my house.
I can not tell if some of the smaller branches off the main trunks are dead. I can snap off some of the very small branches and they are white, brittle, and soft on the inside. Here are some pictures i took this morning:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianspivack/sets/72157644445178170/
I will probably wait till November before I trim back the tree. I am a bit disappointing as i do not think i will be getting figs this year. The last 3 years i have gotten more figs than i can deal with.
FiggyFrank

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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
Your tree looks identical to mine.  I hate to say it, but it appears that the tree has died back to the ground.  I have a 4 year old tree that didn't make it either.  Starting back just like your picture.  I didn't protect mine though.
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gte534j

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Posted Reply with quote  #22 
thanks for your reply. There are some small buds on the large branches that are about 1 ft off the ground. I do think that the tree has mostly died unfortunately and will be growing back this year.
I did nothing to protect it over the winter. I assumed that the brick/house would be enough protection, but I guess not.
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