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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Advanced User Fiendly Winterization Protection for In-ground trees in Cooler Zones
 
 


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figgi11

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Hi all.

As the time comes to winterize my outdoor inground trees, each year I'm always thinking of more modern / easier way of protecting inground figs over the cold months BESIDES wrapping.  The "art" of wrapping is not a sure fire way to protect trees, is laborious, and inconvenient in the early spring when experiencing large temperature fluctuations.  It's not easy to unwrap a fig during Spring heat and later have to wrap it again because of sporadic nighttime freezes.  Especially so if you have multiple trees in-ground.

There has to me a more modern way of doing this that provides deep freeze protection perhaps with the inclusion of artificial heat source (not Christmas lights).  I was thinking in-ground outdoor lamp spikes with heating bulbs that can be flipped on and off easily during freezing temperatures.  Similar to the head bulbs that are used for bathrooms.  Also considering a heater / blower but haven't found any that exist for this purpose.  Also, the safety of each method would have to be considered. 

I'm sort of favoring the first option but looking for input on effectiveness during freezing temps.  How far would I have to place the light from the tree so that it gives just enough heat for protection?  I was thinking one light / spike per tree.  The bulbs state not to use outdoors but my guess is only for purposes of getting wet.  Each bulb is rated for 5,000 which equals 208 days of continuous use.

Any advice in regard to these or any other methods you have tried would be greatly appreciated!  Anything but the darn wrapping!
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kingoceanos

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
I sew old sheets together to make a giant bag for my citrus trees with a garden spike and a 100 watt outdoor flood light about two feet from the trunk. I weight down the giant bag with cinder blocks tied to the sheets with twine. We get a few hard freeze days a year in my zone 8 location. I've been thinking about making something with old trampoline frames, someone is always giving them away free on Craigslist.
Good luck
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ADelmanto

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
You could try Heat Tape.

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rmulhero

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Look into the heat lamps they use to heat livestock (ex: chickens, lambs, etc.) they are more heavy duty and are designed to no catch the barn on fire when left unattended ;). http://www.premier1supplies.com/list.php?mode=list&species_id=ALL&criteria=heat+lamps
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Becky, zone 5
Growing: Hardy Chicago, VdB, Dessert King, Celeste, Green Ischia, Marseilles VS, Kathleen's Black, Red Sicilian, Adriatic JH, Violetta bayerfeinge, New Brunswick, Magnolia and Italian Honey.

Wishlist: Sicilian Black JR, Petite Negra, Sweet George, Lattarula, Sals Corleone (Gene),  Vasilika sika, Galicia negra, Dalmatie and any cold hardy fig.
figgi11

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmulhero
Look into the heat lamps they use to heat livestock (ex: chickens, lambs, etc.) they are more heavy duty and are designed to no catch the barn on fire when left unattended ;). http://www.premier1supplies.com/list.php?mode=list&species_id=ALL&criteria=heat+lamps



This is what I was referring to along with an in-ground light spike positioned "x" feet away from the tree.  I'd probably have to put a small awning over it to keep it from getting wet.  

Does anyone think it would be worth a shot?  One of these per tree using an outdoor-rated extension cord / hub that can be switched on and off easily?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61-lPzLFnYL._SY355_.jpg


Here's a hypothetical rendition just for visualization purposes:

Untitled-1.jpg 
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figgi11

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
bump ^^
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