Do Fig Trees Lose Leaves In Winter?

Fig trees are a popular fruit tree to grow in home gardens appreciated for their sweet fruit and ornamental qualities. But if you live in an area with cold winters, you may be wondering – do fig trees lose leaves in winter?

The short answer is yes fig trees do lose their leaves in winter as they enter dormancy. However, the details on fig tree dormancy and leaf drop are a bit more complex. Read on for a complete explanation on what to expect from your fig tree as winter approaches.

Why Fig Trees Drop Leaves In Winter

Fig trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves each winter. Deciduous trees drop their leaves as a survival mechanism for dealing with cold weather.

When winter arrives, the fig tree senses the decreasing day length and temperatures. This triggers hormonal changes in the tree, initiating the dormancy period.

The fig tree starts pulling nutrients and sugars from the leaves back into the branches and roots to store energy. As the leaves are drained of nutrients, their connection to the branch weakens until they finally fall off.

Shedding leaves allows the fig tree to conserve energy and protect the branches and buds from winter damage. If the tree tried to maintain leaves through the winter, the cold temperatures would damage or kill them anyway.

Dropping leaves is normal for many fruit trees and shrubs that evolved in temperate climates with cold winters. Some examples include peach, plum, apple, pear, and blackberry.

Fig trees originally evolved around the Mediterranean region. Winters are milder there, but the trees still drop their leaves to cope with cool, wet conditions.

Timing Of Fig Tree Leaf Drop

The exact timing of leaf drop will vary depending on the climate and specific fig variety.

In areas with cold winters, fig trees typically start losing their leaves in late fall or early winter. This often begins around the time of first frost and continues as temperatures drop lower.

Some key signs your fig tree is going dormant:

• Slowing of new leaf and shoot growth
• Leaf color changes from green to yellow, red, purple, or brown
• Increasing leaf drop
• Dieback of smaller branches

Leaf drop may happen gradually over weeks or quite rapidly over just a few days. Trees in containers often lose leaves sooner than in-ground trees.

In mild winter climates, fig leaf drop happens later in winter if temperatures stay above 25°F (-4°C). Cold-hardy cultivars adapted to cooler zones can hold leaves even longer into winter.

What Happens To Fig Trees Over Winter?

Once the leaves have fallen, the fig enters a dormant state for the rest of winter. Growth comes to a halt as the tree lives off stored energy.

Resting buds are protected at the tips of branches and the roots remain alive below ground. But on the surface, the tree can appear lifeless.

Fig wood is resilient and can survive temperatures as low as 10°F (-12°C). However, extreme cold below 15°F (-9°C) can kill back branches or damage the root system.

For gardeners in cooler climates, it is important to provide winter protection, such as mulching, wrapping, or burying the tree. This insulates the roots and branches from wide temperature swings.

Dormancy also requires a certain number of chill hours below 45°F (7°C) to reset the tree’s internal clock. Fig trees need about 100-300 chill hours, much less than other fruit trees.

In spring, warming temperatures break dormancy and new growth will begin after a period of rest.

Do Potted Fig Trees Lose Leaves?

Fig trees grown in containers also lose their leaves when winter arrives. However, leaf drop happens earlier compared to in-ground trees.

The roots are more exposed in pots and susceptible to cold damage. As soon as nights dip into the 40s F, figs in containers start to drop leaves and go dormant.

To keep potted figs alive through winter, they need to be moved to a protected location before freezing weather hits. An unheated garage or cellar is ideal.

Water sparingly over winter, just enough to keep the soil barely moist. Stop fertilizing until spring. Monitor for signs of rodent damage on the bark.

Prune back branches to fit the tree through doors before bringing it inside. Wrap or insulate the container if temperatures will drop below 25°F (-4°C).

In spring, move the potted fig back outside once the danger of frost has passed. New growth will quickly emerge after winter dormancy.

Do All Fig Varieties Lose Leaves?

Nearly all common edible fig varieties lose their leaves in winter. However, there are a few exceptions like the following:

• Hardy Chicago – A cold tolerant fig that can maintain some leaves through mild winters, especially in sheltered microclimates.

• Petite Negri – A dwarf fig bush that may hold onto leaves longer into fall compared to other figs.

• Violette de Bordeaux – Can be semi-evergreen in warm winter climates (Zone 9+), only losing some leaves.

• Texas Everbearing – Selected for its ability to keep some leaves year-round in Texas and the deep South (Zone 8).

Problems With Leaf Loss In Summer

Fig trees that lose leaves prematurely in summer are under stress. Common causes include:

• Underwatering – Drought stress leads to leaf wilt and drop.

• Overwatering – Root rot causes leaves to yellow and fall.

• Extreme Heat – Leaves scorch and brown in very hot weather.

• Transplant Shock – Leaf loss after replanting to a new spot.

• Pests & Diseases – Insects, fungi, and viruses can attack leaves.

• Poor Soil – Lack of nutrients due to low fertility.

• Root Damage – Construction, tilling, or disease kills off roots.

Yellowing leaves that drop easily are usually a sign of nutrient deficiency. Leaves drying and browning at the margins point to inadequate watering.

Rule out cultural issues first before trying to treat disease. Improve irrigation, fertilization, mulching, and pest control to get a fig tree thriving again.

Sometimes trees recover from summer leaf drop on their own once conditions improve. But ongoing defoliation weakens the plant, so take corrective action promptly.

When Do Fig Leaves Return In Spring?

Fig trees start growing new leaves as soon as winter dormancy ends in spring. This coincides with warming soil and air temperatures.

In most climates, fig trees begin to wake up in March and April. Exact timing depends on the weather and winter chill hours in your area.

Signs that leaf growth is resuming:

• Swelling leaf buds on branches
• Green shoots emerging from buds
• New light green leaves unfolding

Leaves may take weeks to reach full size. Give trees a balanced fertilizer to aid leaf and shoot development.

Potted figs kept dormant indoors over winter should be moved outside once night temperatures stay above 35° F (2° C).

New leaf growth is quite cold sensitive. Protect young leaves from late frosts with coverings if needed.

Caring For Fig Trees Losing Leaves

As a Mediterranean fruit, fig trees need some specialized care in climates with cold winters:

Site selection – Choose a warm microclimate protected from wind. Avoid frost pockets.

Winter protection – Insulate roots, wrap trunks, bury canes to prevent freeze damage.

Variety selection – Plant cold hardy cultivars adapted to your climate.

Chill hours – Make sure figs get adequate winter dormancy of 100-300 hours below 45°F (7°C).

Soil prep – Improve drainage and add organic matter like compost before planting.

Watering – Avoid overwatering soil that stays wet in winter. Water sparingly when dormant.

Fertilizer – Boost nutrients in spring to assist new leaf growth after dormancy.

Pruning – Cut back branches in late winter just before new growth emerges.

Monitoring – Check for rodent or rabbit damage. Scrape away heavy snow piles.

Protection – Shield emerging leaves and shoots from late spring frosts.

With the right care, your fig tree will thrive through leaf drop each winter and rebound with vigor every spring.

Fig trees losing their leaves in winter is part of their natural growth cycle and nothing to worry about. Leaf drop allows fig trees to conserve energy and survive cold temperatures while dormant.

Potted figs need special overwintering care indoors to protect roots from freezing. Most fig varieties are deciduous, but a few can maintain partial leaves in mild winter areas.

Premature leaf loss in summer is problematic and a sign the tree is stressed by soil, watering, weather, or disease factors. Take corrective care measures promptly to help fig trees recover when leaves drop early or fail to grow back in spring.