When is the best time to unwrap fig trees?
Answer
The right answer varies with location and of course temperature. Here in the New York City area, Zone 7, you can remove the first layer of covering mid-March. But leave the remaining burlap on until early May - there are no hard or fast rules. If the 10 day forecast is seasonable remove it on May 1st. Otherwise, you can unwrap your tree around Mother's Day or when you start seeing green buds.
If temperatures threaten to drop again into the frost range, take off the wraps in layers. First remove the tar paper. After another week or two, when the danger of hard frost is past, remove the burlap and twine and wait for your fig tree or bush to "wake up."
Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service
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