It will recover but might need to be cut back. I'd want the branches gone that are mostly dead. We've had this happen here in the past. After 1-2 yrs you can hardly tell that anything happened. It will regain it's former size that fast.

In zone 5 figs die back to the root every winter and they frequently still produce figs. Some people wrap there figs to prevent die back.

We've been here 5 years now and this is the first time we've seen this. Usually by now the tips have made a full canopy.

I've had to prune each year, but usually for size, not dead branches.

We'll wait it out and see if any more growth develops. When's the best time to prune? I don't want to stress it if it's barely hanging on.

Thanks all.

I am not concerned about this fig, as it will almost certainly recover it's former size and glory relatively soon (much sooner than a brand new one would gain that size), as fruit nut saysâ¦

However, Clark's statement above could be a bit misleading,

"In zone 5 figs die back to the root every winter and they frequently still produce figs."

True that there are plenty of zone 5 figs that produce crops frequently, but not in the same year as being frozen back to roots, but only in a milder year when they don't freeze back, or with protection. I have yet to hear of any fig that can reliably produce the same year as freezing back completely.

Clark and Fabaceae,

What varieties of figs that could be planted in the ground in zone 5 and come back!!!

Although I am new to fig but I have followed a fig forum and read quite a bit about fig growing. I have hardly heard of a fig tree planted in ground in zone 5 unprotected and has survived. So far, I have not read about any name varieties.

Even in my zone 6, it's still iffy with a variety like as Chicago Hardy if not protected.

My father lives in southern NY. He has a large fig tree planted in yard. Does no kind of winter protection, this winter was brutal . Tree didn't even have die back!!!!

Clark and Fabaceae,

What varieties of figs that could be planted in the ground in zone 5 unprotected and survive, please!!

Although I am new to fig but I have followed a fig forum and read quite a bit about fig growing. I don't know if I've ever read about such a fig tree. So far, I have not known of any name varieties. I'd appreciate you could give me the name, please.

Even in my zone 6, it's still iffy with a variety like as Chicago Hardy if not protected.

I have 4 Chicago Hardy in the ground planted last year, all died back to the ground. 2 of them have growth from the ground, 2 have no signs of life, I am just about ready to call the latter dead. They were all wrapped in 3 layers of burlap. Last month I received 4 Bensonhurst Purple Hardy figs, those got planted in pots.

I plan to figure out how to get figs by hook or crook.

Some figs will survive in protected alcoves with enough warmth from the building but the one I didn't plant but left potted was of course killed by this winter. I'm in Zone 6b but there are pockets of 6a microclimates in the area (karst / knobs).

"My father lives in southern NY. He has a large fig tree planted in yard. Does no kind of winter protection, this winter was brutal . Tree didn't even have die back!!!!"

NY,
From what I understand about this winter, all of NY got down to at least near zero Fahrenheit for sustained periods or multiple times. And I've never heard of any unprotected fig variety that does not sustain any damage in those conditions. Many fig enthusiasts would be willing to pay top dollar for small cuttings from such a fig variety.

Cold Hardy Figs:
Brown Turkey (Texas Everbearing) DWN
Blue Celeste (all Celeste really) DWN
Brunswick
Hardy Chicago DWN
Violet De Bordeaux (Negronne) medium eye, down to zone 5 DWN
Desert King DWN
Italian Honey (Lattarula)
Peter's Honey
Osborne Prolific (Neverella) DWN
Excel DWN
Texas Blue Giant DWN
Golden Celeste
Black Mission DWN
[there are others but they require either hot summers or a summer greenhouse to sweeten]
Alma - late ripening, honey fig, ugly fig, super flavor [female Allison X male Hamma Caprifig]
Atreano
Bayenfeige Violetta
Biancheta
Brogiotto Nero (Briogiotto Fiorentino)
Capelas
Dauphine
Genovese Nero
Hollier
Isfahan
LSU Purple
Mademoiselle de deux Saisons
Malta (Sugar Fig)
Northland (Nordland Bergfeige)
Paradiso Bianco
Portuguese East Mountain
Ronde de Bordeaux
Sal's (Corleone)
Skardu Dark
Stela (honey fig) (aka Stella)
Sultane
Tena (Bifere)
Ventura

As to which do well in zone 5 ... do your homework.

Fascist,
Thank you for your list. As I have read many posts, I can't recall any variety on your "hardy" list makes it in ground unprotected in zone 5 (or even zone 6a). They survive in pots overwinter in garage or in ground with protection.

I agree with Alfred, many of us in zone 6 and lower would pay top dollars if there was such a variety. Maybe, it does not exist.