Inground Project zone 4-5

Vitooch1

Vitooch1

Active member
Hi guys, some of you may or not know me from other forums but I always like to show some of my strategies on winterizing my inground trees.i learned a few tricks from great members but I always thought maybe I can make something better and easier. The coffin method has always worked for me. 

Here I have a fig tree that’s been in the ground for about 3 years in fact I had another side to side and decided to remove it to focus on the most strongest tree. I’ve always used a fig coffin method cut the tree down to 12’ inches boxed it in and added a heated coil. It worked but it always focused on growth then produced figs at the end of the season. Now, I’m using the same approach but keeping the growth. I chose 4 main leaders and covered them with noodles. I made a base and poured 1” inch of concrete around the trunk to prevent rodents from entering. The box is insulated with 1” inch foam all around with a single heated coil just to provide perfect warm. I’ve always used this method except I chopped the trees down to 12 inches now it’s 65 inches at height. I think this idea might pay off. Hope this will inspire some of you to get creative with easier methods. Good luck guys let me know what you think. 
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@"Vitooch1"#96  Hi it's really good to see you posting here. You asked what other members thought of your coffin heating system. I think you're a genius. Just a thought I wonder if you could line your wooden coffin with Styrofoam 4'x8' insulation boards from Home Depot, to cut down on energy costs through the winter. Looks like your trees will be warm, and snug through the winter. I don't suppose you would consider making a video of your process? I'm sure we would all enjoy seeing, and learning from it.
 
Hey there Vito, I have always admired your dedication to protecting those trees, and they look awesome every year so kudos!
Thanks for sharing here...I know your system will be useful to others.
Are you already preparing the coffins?
 
@"Figless"#18 And @"ktrain"#2 thanks this is something I really want to achieve. It’s not about having figs yet cause I get lots from my potted trees. My goal is to really create an tree that withstands our winters. I can wait for the figs. 

On the walls of the fig coffin I placed 1” foam all around I wanted to put 2” inches but it got really tight in there. I didn’t want a box that was hideous and huge. The wattage on that coil is very low energy. If you guys take a close look at the finished box I made access with four screws on top in case I have to get to it. The concrete pad is genius right !!! I was just thinking last season those damn rats know how to find their way in. This time I don’t think so. 

My next step is to cover the bottom soil with mulch add a Bluetooth thermostat and tarp the box. I got a few days of nice weather I’ll keep you posted.
 
Not yet. Even the container trees are pretty green. The in ground they're all bright green and still ripening. Amazing the difference an hour drive makes
 
Vito... I was looking at this again and thinking about.... the concrete is a brilliant idea. It went over my head for a minute but then it clicked that you break this away in spring.... That's amazing! Any sort of loose mix like this will totally keep out the rodents.... and it's simple and cheap...

Buon lavoro!
 
Mine were all green as well but i had to just put them in storage I was getting anxious and plucked all it them leaves off with tons of figs left. I had so many figs this season I was done eating plus figs aren’t as tasty as September figs. Next season I’m culling a lot of my trees. I’ll be reducing to five favorites. I had a rat problem had to deal with so I had to wrap up the garden. This video was 2 weeks ago still producing figs. I had a great season. 


Yup it popped in my head before falling as keep one day . I made the base with 2 x 4 then added 2 inch gravel then 1inch concrete mix. I made sure i wrapped the base of the tree with cardboard before setting the mix.  The concrete will be easy to chip away. This might be the best setup so far for me, it literally took me an hour to setup I can take it apart and reassemble the next season.
 
Have you always wrapped each limb in the foam noodles?
Have you ever put moth balls in the box to fight off the rodents?
 
@"TorontoJoe"#1 no need for moth balls when it’s completly sealed with concrete. The noodles was an extra thought for extra insulation.
 
Vito.... Did you laminate the insulation to the plywood or loose fit? I'm thinking of trying this with a smaller tree.

I'm wondering if there's some sort of locking hardware so it can be reused without repeatedly using screws?

Also, maybe a permanent concrete pad with steel brackets?

There's a bit more empty space to heat vs batt insulation but I like that this basically guarantees it won't get wet. 

I thought it might be a good idea to use PT plywood... then I saw the price. Almost fell out of my chair! 

Really good work man.
 
If my Celeste tree dies to the ground for a 5th yr in a row...I may be copying your coffin Vito.
Right next to my unprotected Mt. Etna which suffered barely any damage...yet this thing keeps freeze drying on me.
 
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