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Home Shop Fig Chicago Hardy Fig Tree
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Chicago Hardy Fig Tree

 
+ Gift Wrapping
OVERVIEW
SHIPPING
TREE SIZES

  • Chicago Hardy Fig's late season mahogany to purple fruit are set on current season's growth.
  • Considered one of the most frost hardy of all fig trees.
  • Chicago Hardy has little to no breba crop.
  • The figs have the best quality late summer through fall.
  • Self-fruitful
  • Height at maturity: 15'-30' in the ground, but can be kept smaller with pruning or if kept in containers
  • They thrive in zones 6-10
  • Grown from rooted cuttings.
  • This tree will be shipped dormant- without leaves.
  • Please see our "Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee" below.

 

Check out our Fig Tree Growing Guide (pdf)
Lee nuestra guia aqui: Guia de cultivo para higos

 

SAVE ON SHIPPING:  We can now ship potted fruit trees in MULTIPACK BOXES. Order as a 3-pack or 6-pack to save on the cost of shipping!  This includes ALL PRIMO and ENTRY sized citrus, olive, fig and avocado trees as well as grape and passion vines.   

 

Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee: 

We guarantee that trees that are shipped dormant will leaf out the following spring if you follow our growing and handling instructions.  Any dormant tree that does not leaf out can qualify for a refund if you submit a claim by May 15th.  All deciduous fruit trees, persimmons and jujubes need to be planted in the ground by April 1st to qualify for replacement, unless you are in area where the ground is still frozen at that time.  

 

In the rare event that your dormant tree/plant has not leafed out by May 1st, please perform a “scratch test” to check for green under the bark.  Just beneath the dry, outer layer of bark in a tree's trunk lies the cambium layer.  In a living tree, this is green; in a dead tree, it is brown and dry. To perform a “scratch test”, scratch off the top layer of bark in a small spot on a branch and on the trunk.  Be sure to do 1 test above the graft union, and a 2nd just below the graft union.  If the scratch test reveals a brown cambium, that means your tree/plant is dead or dying. 

 

To qualify for a refund, you must submit a claim via email to cs@fourwindsgrowers.com by no later than May 15th.  Please include your order number in the subject line of your email.  

Claims must include:

-Photos of the scratch test areas

-Your order number

-Name(s) of trees affected.    

 

We will review your claim and if approved, we will issue you a refund for the purchase price of your dormant tree (excluding shipping).  We reserve the right to not issue a refund for items that have already been replaced.

  • SAVE ON SHIPPING:  We can now ship potted fruit trees in MULTIPACK BOXES. Order as a 3-pack or 6-pack to save on the cost of shipping!  This includes ALL PRIMO and ENTRY sized citrus, olive, fig and avocado trees as well as grape and passion vines. 

  • No customer pick-up.
  • We can ship our "Other Edibles" (non-citrus plants) and growing accessories to most states, including Alabama, Texas, Arizona or Florida. 
  • Sorry, we do not ship any items to the US Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico or to API/APO addresses, or to other countries at this time.
  • Click here for Shipping Information


  • The Primo Size trees, measured from the top of the root ball, are 18"-36” tall.
  • Within a month of delivery we suggest repotting into a larger (10-12" diameter) container.
  • Like citrus trees, deciduous trees appreciate a well aerated growing medium that retains moisture and also drains well. 
  • Provide full sun, regular feeding and good drainage to keep the tree happy and productive.

 

 

How to Grow

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Location

Fig trees are an excellent choice for both in-ground and container growing. Choose a location with at least 8 to 10 hours of sunlight. Fig trees will thrive in a variety of soil types but for the best results, you will want to plant your tree in a location with good drainage. When growing in the ground, avoid planting your tree up against the house as they have widespreading root systems.

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Planting

To plant your fig tree in the ground, dig a hole deep enough to cover the root ball. We recommend digging a hole in a cone shape that is about twice the size of the current root mass and planting the tree to the center of the cone. If your location has heavy clay soil create a mound about 12” above the native soil line with a better draining soil mix of compost and mulch. At the center of the mound, dig a cone-shaped hole and plant your tree.

For container growing, you will want to create a soil mix that is 5-parts coarse bark, 1-part coarse perlite, and 1-part premium potting soil. This soil mix is designed for maximum drainage which reduces the chances of root disease.

When transplanting check for roots collecting at the bottom of the pot. Gently loosen up the roots at the bottom to help them quickly extend into the surrounding soil. Tamp (pack) down soil several times while backfilling the hole to avoid air pockets. After planting, water the tree to settle the soil firmly around the roots. Make a basin for future watering.

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Watering

The number one reason for fig loss in the first 2 years is poor draining soils. Become familiar with how your location drains and mound up to 12 inches above the soil line where drainage is poor. Figs are quite drought tolerant once establish but water management in the first 2 years is critical.

Good water management includes regular irrigation and mulching to get trees established. Regular irrigation on established figs helps to improve size and juiciness. Once established figs require little water.

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Fertilizing & Compost

In general, fig trees do not require regular fertilizing. Excessive applications of nitrogen can have a negative effect on fruit quality. The one exception is for figs grown in containers, which should be fed three or four times a year with a balanced fruit tree fertilizer.

A thick layer of compost applied to your soil either around your fruit trees is an effective way to improve fertility immediately and over the long term as the compost breaks down. Compost comes in many forms and strengths. You may be inclined to jump for the strongest composted chicken manure but will burn your tree. Stick to well-composted steer, horse manures, or a blend of plant compost as they provide ample nutrients for trees without the risk of burning them.

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Pruning

Unpruned fig trees can spread 25’ or more. Figs will produce a thick dense canopy with little pruning. Figs can be held to any height with regular pruning. They make an ideal plant for espalier or as a patio container plant. Many varieties bear an early crop called a “Breba” crop usually in early summer. The main fruit sets on the current season’s growth. Once all the foliage has dropped for winter, you will want to prune out all the dead, damaged or diseased wood as well as any spoiled fruit that may still be hanging on the tree.

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