This is our 10th anniversary vds 4 years old fig. While trimming, I noticed how dead the branches are from the cold. It was leafing out and green until January freeze. Temperature got down to 17F, with wind chill it got down to 7F for 9 hours. Yes: here in Austin TX. IT does get cold! I did house wrap the tree, but no heater. So the cold got the green and I had to trim it down to a stump. So sad. I think I have to trim it more to the main trunk. I scratch test 3 branches today, looks rotten.  I notice there are eyes on the trunk, above soil. No buds. Just eyes. What is the probability that those eyes will become buds? I am sadden by this potential lost. My other figs are leafing out while this one shows nothing. 

How long has it been in the ground, and how large is the trunk?  Good chances are that with a 3+ inch diameter trunk you will get new growth sprout from the base, possibly from buds that are exposed.  I'm unfamiliar with the term eyes, and image isn't opening.

I wouldn't trim it anymore, just let it sprout, that way you will be certain and later can trim off dead part.

 

I lost half of my Preto, this way, but it should come back. I would only trim the dead wood after the new growth is well on its way. Col de Dame Blanc does the same thing, but comes back every year.

Thanks all.
It has only been in the ground since Sept 2016. And the main trunk is only 1.5" dia.

eyes: a scar that was formally a leaf.

I see no buds yet, but I am holding onto hope.

Oh, e y e s, I see :)

You know I have noticed some new green "buds" starting to form low down near soil line where I can not discern any previous buds, or leaf scars, or eyes.  A few of my first year planted figs also froze nearly to the ground.

This new growth seems to generate right from the trunk itself, give it time, I'm sure yours will too.  I have lots of hope for your tree.

Remember, we will likely get another frost, probably late, and that new growth will be very tender...I'm telling myself this too, so I can be prepared to cover them and hope for the best.

Thanks Don.
I m glad I am not the only one affected by this situation.
Sometime hope is all I got. I will wait until summer.
Nothing from my vds yet. So it is kinda disheartening now.
Next time I will put a bucket over it with house wraps and rocks and bricks for security. 
All my figs will receive this treatment.
This year's frost kill alot of fruit trees here in central texas. Someone state it was the worst for 20 yrs becasue 20 yrs old palm trees are dead. Others said just 10.

I didn't know Autin got that cold! That changes my plan to move there!

Austin doesn't get that very often. Very rarely actually. But it also sits up on edge of the Hill Country plateau. The closer that you get to the Gulf the more temperate it is, and stable the temperature stays. But like I said before, all you have to worry about near the Gulf is a hurricane every few years.

Hi Austin:

I have never seen this cold in our area for many year, At December, it was cold to -22F for 3 weeks, I planted couple fig trees last year without winter protection, Trees without winter sun, all near dead and tree with winter sun still alive,   My 7 years old in ground fig tree, It waked up at January with brebra figlets, then it was freezing cold again, It warm up this couple day, I just clear that deep snow under the tree and I find that 50% figlets turn black and dead. In our cool summer area, we can get bebra figs reliable, Most main figs will drop or sweetless due to weak sun after August.

I have work hard for last whole year and spent quite a bit of money for this fig tree project with extremely poor results. Should I pause this project for 1 year?

Anyway, good luck for your fig tree.

Sprouts from the trunk!
It is  Alive.
Thanks all for keeping my hope up.

Yours is a bit early. I checked mine this morning and did not see any green. In this weather it should sprout very soon.

I had to remove the mulch a bit to see the green. IT was well hidden. Thanks for the support.