Cold Tolerant Fig Trees | A Hardy Fig Tree starts with the Variety
Channel: Ross Raddi
Date: 2023-02-16

This video is about cold-tolerant fig trees and the factors that influence their ability to withstand low temperatures. I provide information about hardiness ratings, the lowest temperature that fig trees can reliably withstand, and the different fig varieties that can survive in colder climates.

So you want a cold-tolerant or hardy fig tree? Welcome to the right place. The internet is littered with incorrect and regurgitated fig-related information. Especially on hardiness. Let this video be a guide to set the record straight and what's really accurate and reasonable so that you can make an informed decision. Check out the full blog post with a list of hardy fig varieties here: https://www.figboss.com/post/a-hardy-fig-tree-starts-with-the-variety

The primary factor determining a fig tree's hardiness is how extreme of a winter temperature the tree can handle to survive or not take damage. Think of the winter low as a hardwired piece of the fig varieties' genetic code. Think about a 7-foot center in the NBA. The average person doesn't have the genetic potential to reach 7 feet in height so choosing the right variety is critical to see success.

Most fig varieties can reliably survive 10F, but much fewer varieties can survive 5F and very few at all can survive 0F. This means that the USDA hardiness zones for fig trees bottom out at 6A with winter protection, 7A without winter protection (although recommended), and 7B.

A fig variety called Chicago Hardy is the most well-known fig variety to withstand colder temperatures. It's certainly the standard and the most hardy fig until something can be reliably reproduced in very cold climates. However, there are some lesser-known fig varieties that could extend the reach where fig trees can be reliably grown.

Key moments:
Introduction (0:00)
Hardiness Zones (0:34) USDA zone (7A) is the lowest zone where fig trees can reliably grow outside in the ground, as the temperature can reach zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Fig Tree Cold Tolerance (1:39) The lowest temperature that fig trees can reliably survive is around 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Protecting the Fruit Buds (2:10) If the top of the fig tree dies due to extreme cold, the tree can still come back from the base.
Factors that Influence Hardiness (3:46) Genetics play a crucial role in a fig tree's hardiness.
Soil Moisture's Impact (4:53) Soil moisture is a factor that can affect a fig tree's ability to prepare for winter and withstand low temperatures.
Hardy Fig Varieties (6:35) JH Adriatic, LSU Hollier, Moro de Caneva, and Hardy Chicago.
Additional Hardy Fig Varieties (7:50) Additional fig varieties that can survive in colder places, including Elba, Celeste, and Campaniere.

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