Is My Fig Tree Dead? Understanding Spring Growth Delays
- Ross the Fig BOSS
- May 1
- 4 min read
As spring arrives, many fig tree enthusiasts eagerly await the first signs of growth. However, if your fig tree isn’t sprouting leaves or showing signs of life, you might wonder, “Is my fig tree dead?” There are several reasons your fig tree might not be growing in spring, and it’s not always cause for alarm. This article explores the factors affecting fig tree wake-up, how to assess winter damage, and what to do if your tree seems unresponsive.
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Why Isn’t My Fig Tree Growing?
The primary driver of a fig tree’s spring growth is soil temperature, not sunlight, as many assume. When sunlight warms the soil, it kickstarts the tree’s metabolism, prompting it to wake up.
If your region has had a cold spring or your tree is in a shaded or cooler spot, the soil may not be warm enough to trigger sap flow. To encourage earlier wake-up, consider placing potted fig trees in a warmer location or using techniques to warm the soil, such as planting in warm microclimates, thermodynamic heating, or covering the ground with black landscape fabric, like Dewitt Sunbelt Woven Ground Cover, to absorb heat.
Related: Planting Fig Trees: A Masterclass
Warming and Hydrating Roots to Wake Up Your Fig Tree
A practical trick to help wake up a dormant fig tree, especially those in pots that have been in winter storage, is to use warm water to hydrate the roots while simultaneously increasing soil temperature. After a long winter, potted fig trees may have dry soil and reduced sap flow, which can delay their spring awakening.
By gently pouring warm (not hot) water, around 80–90°F (27–32°C), into the pot, you can rehydrate the root system and stimulate metabolic activity.
Impact of Winter Damage and Pruning
Winter damage, damage from animals like rodents, or improper pruning can significantly delay a fig tree’s spring growth when branches are shortened.
Pruning cuts fall into two categories: thinning cuts, which remove entire branches at their base, leaving other branches intact, and heading cuts, which shorten branches, reducing their length. The type of cut affects how the tree responds, with heading cuts often delaying growth more significantly due to the loss of key buds.
The speed of spring growth depends on the tree’s buds, particularly the apical (tip) and lateral (side) buds, which are the highest on the tree and typically the most developed, even during dormancy. These buds sprout fastest in spring, driving early growth and fruit production.
Lower or "vegetative" buds, forced to take over after damage or pruning, are less advanced and slower to develop, delaying leaf-out and fruiting. Removing apical and lateral buds through pruning or damage can delay fruit production by about two weeks, while severe damage closer to the base of the tree may postpone growth by up to two months.
Related: Early Ripening Fig Varieties
How to Tell If Your Fig Tree Is Dead
Before declaring your fig tree dead, perform these checks:
Scratch Test: Gently scratch the bark on a branch. If you see green tissue underneath, the branch is alive. Dry, brown tissue suggests it’s dead.
Bend Test: If a branch snaps easily and feels desiccated, it’s likely dead. Flexible branches are still alive.
Check Below the Soil: Even if the above-ground parts look lifeless, the roots or base may still be viable. Look for suckers or new growth emerging from below the soil line. A tree with no above-ground growth but a healthy sucker sprouting underground is indicative that it's alive.
For in-ground trees, burying 4–6 inches of the trunk below the soil line during planting can ensure the tree can regrow from the roots if the upper parts are killed by cold. Regularly, fig trees, despite being damaged by cold temperatures, resprout from protected bases or buried nodes.
Patience Is Key
If your fig tree isn’t showing growth, don’t rush to replace it. I advise waiting at least two months after your last frost date before assuming the tree is dead. In the Philadelphia area, some of my trees didn’t sprout until July, two months after the last frost. This delay is especially common for trees with significant winter damage or those regrowing from below the soil.
Additional Factors Affecting Fig Tree Recovery
Another factor that can influence a fig tree’s ability to recover from winter damage is its overall health prior to the cold season. Trees that were stressed due to insufficient water, root rot, a lack of sunlight, or poor soil nutrients during the growing season may have a harder time bouncing back.
Protecting Fig Trees for Future Winters
To minimize future delays in spring growth, consider proactive winter protection strategies.
For potted fig trees, moving them to a sheltered location, such as a garage or a greenhouse, can shield them from extreme cold and wind.
For in-ground trees, wrapping the trunk with burlap or frost cloth and piling mulch or straw around the base can provide insulation. Some growers in colder climates also use techniques like bending young trees to the ground and covering them with mulch to protect the entire tree. These measures can reduce winter damage and ensure your fig tree wakes up more reliably in spring.
Tips for Growing Figs in Challenging Climates
Growing fig trees in colder or shorter-season climates requires strategic care:
Avoid Heavy Fall Pruning: Use thinning cuts to reserve branches while avoiding delayed fruit production.
Protect the Base: Use mulch, burlap, or other insulation to shield the trunk and roots from cold.
Bury the Trunk: Plant with 4–6 inches of the trunk below the soil to encourage regrowth if winter damage occurs.
Choose Hardy Varieties: Opt for cold-tolerant fig varieties suited to your climate.
Monitor Soil Temperature: Ensure the soil warms up in spring to promote timely growth.
