Fig trees are a delicious fruit tree to grow in your garden. Their sweet fruit is perfect for eating fresh making jams and baking. Figs are relatively easy to care for, but there comes a time when your fig tree outgrows its space and needs to be transplanted to a new location. Deciding when to transplant your fig is key to minimize stress on the tree. Here are some tips on the best time to transplant your fig tree.
Avoid Transplanting During Active Growth
The best times to transplant a fig tree are when it is dormant—late fall to early spring. Actively growing trees do not like their roots disturbed. If you transplant a fig while it is leafing out in spring or fruiting in summer, it will suffer more transplant shock. Late fall after leaf drop or early spring before bud break are ideal times.
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Fall transplanting can be done as late as December in warmer climates. In colder areas, finish transplanting 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes to allow the roots to establish before winter dormancy.
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Early spring transplanting should be done after the last frost but before new growth emerges.
Winter Protection for Fall Transplants
If transplanting in fall, be sure to give your fig tree proper winter protection the first season after transplanting. Methods include:
- Wrapping the tree in burlap or landscape fabric
- Building a small cage filled with leaves around the base
- Providing supplemental water if winter is dry
This protects the roots and prevents frost damage to branches as the tree goes dormant. Healthy roots are critical for the tree to leaf out vigorously in spring.
Preparing the Fig Tree for Transplanting
To ensure the best results, properly prepare your fig tree before transplanting:
- Prune the branches by 1/3 to reduce water loss after transplanting.
- Dig around the tree in fall and cut any circling roots. This encourages new root growth outward into the native soil after transplanting.
- Water the tree regularly in fall to keep soil moist. This makes digging up the root ball easier.
How to Transplant a Mature Fig Tree
Follow these steps when moving a mature fig tree:
- Dig at least 2 feet out from the trunk all around and sink a sharp shovel vertically to cut the main roots.
- After loosening the soil, lift the tree by the trunk and slip burlap under the root ball.
- Wrap the burlap around the roots and tie it securely.
- Move the tree quickly to its new hole dug as wide as the root ball but only as deep as the root collar.
- Cut any damaged roots and spread the roots outward in the hole.
- Backfill with native soil, water deeply, and stake the tree for support if needed.
- Cover the root zone with mulch.
Proper transplanting encourages the fig to regrow new feeder roots out into the surrounding soil.
Transplanting Younger Fig Trees
Smaller fig trees in pots can be transplanted more easily. Follow these guidelines:
- Transplant in early spring before growth resumes.
- Water the potted tree regularly before transplanting.
- Carefully remove the tree from the pot and loosen any circling roots.
- Set it in a hole as wide as the root ball at the same depth it was growing before.
- Backfill the hole and water thoroughly.
- Stake the tree if needed while new roots establish.
Younger trees bounce back more quickly than mature trees. Just be gentle with the roots when transplanting.
Post-Transplant Care for Fig Trees
Reduce transplant stress and help your fig tree establish with good aftercare:
- Water deeply every 7-10 days during the first year if rain is lacking.
- Hold off fertilizing for the first season after transplanting.
- Prune lightly in winter to shape as needed.
- Weed and mulch around the tree to reduce competition.
- Monitor for pests like fig borer caterpillar.
With proper timing, care in digging, and aftercare, your fig tree will thrive in its new location. Pay attention to transplant timing, root care, and reducing stress for best results. In a few years, you’ll be rewarded with a flush of plump, ripe figs.
The Best Place to Plant a Fig Tree
- Fig trees need sunlight to grow, and the amount of fruit they produce depends on how much sunlight they get. Pick a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day; the more, the better. If your fig tree isn’t fruiting, this is why.
- Figs love heat and warm soil temperatures. For the best conditions for your fig tree, plant near structures, use plastic, plant higher above grade in raised mounds or berms, and use boulders, structures, or other thermodynamic heat sources to help warm the soil.
- Fig trees do best in soil that drains well and can survive dry periods. Figs taste and feel better in drier climates, and root rot, a fungal problem fig trees often have, is less likely to happen in soil that drains well.
- It’s possible for fig trees to get as tall and wide as 75 feet, but with the right care and training, they can stay 6 to 12 feet tall. When planting, use the width and height of your fig tree to figure out how far apart to put the trees.
- Fig trees have shallow, fibrous roots that can spread out to be twice as wide as their canopy. These plants do well in pots or areas with poor soil, and they are less likely to damage foundations or underground utilities.
Fig-Related Information
- Ross the Fig BOSS
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- 13 min read
When to Transplant a Fig? (Survival Gardener Minute #039)
FAQ
Can you dig up and replant a fig tree?
Do fig trees need full sun?
Where is the best place to plant a fig tree?
How do you grow a fig tree?
The following steps will help you create the ideal conditions for your fig tree: 1. Choose a location that receives full sun. Fig trees need a lot of sunlight to produce fruit. 2. Dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the fig tree’s root ball. 3. Add a layer of compost or well-rotted manure to the bottom of the hole.
When should you transplant a fig tree?
Timing: The ideal time to transplant a fig tree is during its dormant season, which is typically in late winter or early spring. This is when the tree is not actively growing, and it will be less stressed by the move. However, if you need to transplant the tree during the growing season, take extra care to minimize shock and stress.
How do you transplant a fig tree?
Fill the space around your tree with sandy dirt. Press down on the fresh soil to get rid of air pockets. Water your tree thoroughly and avoid fertilizing for 12 months. On top of this, you want to ensure your fig is ready to transplant. Generally, if a tree is smaller, it is a good candidate for a new location.
How do you care for a fig tree after transplanting?
After transplanting, the fig tree should be watered thoroughly to help settle the soil around the roots. It is important to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged in the following weeks to encourage root growth. Mulching around the base of the tree can help retain moisture and also suppress weed growth.