Fig Trees Can Survive Cold Weather
2022-12-05
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1Fig trees are native to Europe around the Mediterranean Sea, Asia and Africa, but they can grow in much cooler climates.
2Once mature, fig trees can accept temperatures even a few degrees below freezing.
3Some kinds of fig trees do better in such environments than others.
4Associated Press gardening expert Jessica Damiano recently wrote about caring for fig trees.
5She said all kinds of the trees could use protection.
6Depending on the weather and pruning, a fig can grow into a shrub or a tree.
7Shrubs with several stems growing from the ground do best if covered for the winter.
8Trees with a single stem, or trunk, can be either covered or buried.
9Either way, wait until the trees have dropped most of their leaves.
10One popular method for burying trees for their protection is called "the Minnesota tip."
11It involves digging a narrow, shallow area where the tree can be laid.
12The space should be about 30 centimeters deep, 60 centimeters wide and as long as the tree is tall.
13To prepare the tree, gather its branches and tie them together with soft rope.
14Next, push a shovel into the soil about a half-meter from the trunk on the side opposite the hole.
15Lift that side of the tree's root ball out of the ground.
16Then, gently push the tree toward the hole.
17When it is lying flat, cover the tree with plastic.
18Pack soil around the exposed side of the roots, and around the length of the tree. Load soil over the tree.
19Make it at least 30 centimeters deep.
20You will need more soil than you removed from digging.
21If you are covering, or wrapping, the tree instead, you will need cardboard, a pail, and a roll each of burlap, heavy brown paper and tar paper.
22If the tree is under three years old, cut it back by one-third its size.
23Then, pull the branches inward and tie them together with soft but strong rope.
24Working upwards from the bottom, put burlap around the tree.
25Then put heavy brown paper around the burlap and tie it into place.
26Remove some soil from around the base of the tree.
27Place a large piece of cardboard into the space and bend it around the bottom half of the tree.
28Tie the cardboard into place.
29Next, wrap tar paper around the tree.
30Position it outward from top to bottom.
31This will direct rain away from the tree.
32Place soil around the tree's base, creating a little hill.
33Place a pail upside-down over the top of the tree to keep the rain off.
34Unwrap the tree on a cloudy day in early spring, soon after the last frost.
35I'm Mario Ritter Jr.
1Fig trees are native to Europe around the Mediterranean Sea, Asia and Africa, but they can grow in much cooler climates. 2Once mature, fig trees can accept temperatures even a few degrees below freezing. Some kinds of fig trees do better in such environments than others. 3Associated Press gardening expert Jessica Damiano recently wrote about caring for fig trees. She said all kinds of the trees could use protection. 4Depending on the weather and pruning, a fig can grow into a shrub or a tree. Shrubs with several stems growing from the ground do best if covered for the winter. Trees with a single stem, or trunk, can be either covered or buried. 5Either way, wait until the trees have dropped most of their leaves. 6One popular method for burying trees for their protection is called "the Minnesota tip." 7It involves digging a narrow, shallow area where the tree can be laid. The space should be about 30 centimeters deep, 60 centimeters wide and as long as the tree is tall. 8To prepare the tree, gather its branches and tie them together with soft rope. 9Next, push a shovel into the soil about a half-meter from the trunk on the side opposite the hole. Lift that side of the tree's root ball out of the ground. 10Then, gently push the tree toward the hole. 11When it is lying flat, cover the tree with plastic. 12Pack soil around the exposed side of the roots, and around the length of the tree. Load soil over the tree. Make it at least 30 centimeters deep. You will need more soil than you removed from digging. 13If you are covering, or wrapping, the tree instead, you will need cardboard, a pail, and a roll each of burlap, heavy brown paper and tar paper. 14If the tree is under three years old, cut it back by one-third its size. Then, pull the branches inward and tie them together with soft but strong rope. 15Working upwards from the bottom, put burlap around the tree. Then put heavy brown paper around the burlap and tie it into place. 16Remove some soil from around the base of the tree. Place a large piece of cardboard into the space and bend it around the bottom half of the tree. Tie the cardboard into place. 17Next, wrap tar paper around the tree. Position it outward from top to bottom. This will direct rain away from the tree. 18Place soil around the tree's base, creating a little hill. Place a pail upside-down over the top of the tree to keep the rain off. 19Unwrap the tree on a cloudy day in early spring, soon after the last frost. 20I'm Mario Ritter Jr. 21The Associated Press reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. 22_________________________________________________________________ 23Words in This Story 24mature -adj. fully developed, fully grown 25prune -v. to cut some parts of a tree or bush so that it will grow or look better 26shrub -n. a plant that has stems of wood but is smaller than a tree 27stem -n. a thin, long part of a plant that rises above the soil and supports the leaves and flowers 28shovel -n. a tool used for digging the soil 29pail -n. a round container that is open at the top and usually has a handle 30exposed -adj. something that is not covered or protected 31burlap -n. a rough, strong cloth used for making bags 32tar -n. a thick, black substance that melts easily but hardens when it is cool 33_________________________________________________________________ 34We want to hear from you. 35We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 36Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.