Unmissable clues leave no doubt when a fig tree is dead. The good news is that a fig (Ficus carica) has rarely died beyond repair in this country. Read the best tips here on how to distinguish a dead fig tree from a seemingly dead one.
When is a fig tree definitely dead?
A fig tree is definitely dead if its branches do not sprout bylate summerOn a dead fig, the wood under the bark has dried out brown. If green tissue appears under the bark, you can save the fig tree by pruning it back.
Can you revive a dead fig tree?
You can revive a dead fig tree with aradical pruning. Frost damage is usually not a death sentence for a fig in Germany. North of the Alps, a fig tree is partially hardy and, in the worst case, can freeze back to the ground. The tree will continue to sprout from its rootstock over the course of the summer. How to bring a seemingly dead fig tree back to life:
- In mid-May/beginning of June, cut back dead branches down to he althy, juicy green wood.
- Fertilize a planted fig tree.
- Repot the potted fig and keep it protected at night until the beginning of June.
How do I tell if a fig tree is permanently dead?
A fig tree is hopelessly dead if its branches and buds do not sprout bylate summerLast doubts about irreversible frost damage are dispelled by avitality test. Scrape off bark at the base of the trunk or make a tongue cut. If green wood tissue appears, floral life still pulsates in the wood. If the fig tree bleeds from the bark injury, this is another indication that there is still hope because the sap is flowing. The cambium on the dead fig tree has dried out and has turned cream brown to dark brown.
Tip
Hardy fig varieties are tough
The Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture has put winter-hardy fig varieties through their paces. Fig trees planted on the test site in May 2017 have been overwintering without winter protection since 2019/2020 and still do not freeze. On the contrary, the test specimens deliver a good harvest yield. The names of the test winners are: Dalmatie, Pastiliere, Brown Turkey, Doree Bound and Ronde de Bordeaux.
