I am also in Zone 5a and have a south facing garage wall. I am also planning to have an enclosure against this wall with the top open but it is intended for trapping the summer heat only for help in fig ripening process but not for winter protection.
I am not convinced that such enclosure will help against the minimum low temoeratures in Zone 5. Having the top enclosed might have helped a bit by trapping the ground heat but then the sun heat may cause problem in early spring because of the thaw and freez!
Good luck if you are trying. Let us know next spring.

Actually Im in zone 7, LI,NY I just corrected my profile to reflect that.

My proposed enclosure will be closed on top as its the eaves overhang of the garage. I will be setting up the enclosure to allow venting during those warm early spring days to avoid the freeze and thaw.
I will post pics when I get it built and will keep my fingers crossed and report in the spring.
Joe

Joe, where about are you on L.I? I have some trees in the same location you have, Southern exposure with a 2 story brick wall protecting the North winds. You should benefit from this set up. Even though I have never covered my trees I like your idea of enclosing them. There are varying thoughts about wiltproof one being that if protected from drying winds, it may not be necessary. Your final thought is why I dont cover. Who wants mold and rot? Finally what kind and how old are the trees?

Hi ep,

Im in Nassau on the North Shore about 5 mins from the sound.
I have 3 Trees, a celeste 10 years old and a green genoa probably at least 10 years old as well. The third tree is a small white fig not sure of the variety about 2 years old.

The celeste and genoa were previously potted and this will be their 1st winter in the ground. They were too big and heavy to manage in the pots for me The unknown variety I got as young plant from an Italian genlteman who is the superintendant of a private school in Jamaica Estates. The parent tree is extremely cold hardy I saw it in January a few years back uncovered and in the open. I asked him whe he didnt cover and he told me he hasnt covered it in the 15 years its been there. I went back in spring and was amazed there was no dieback at all. I traded him genoa cuttings and he gave me a young tree he made off the parent tree.

I have seen a lot of guys in whitestone and bayside and some here in Nassau making enclosures of plywood on 3 sides and their trees do well so I decided to try it.

I feel the tarp enclosure method will be quick and easy to deploy and take down in the spring. The wiltpruf is added insurance as its not terribly expensive to buy.

Im curious where on the island are you that you dont need to cover at all?

Finally if you or any others are interested I will post pictures of the trees and the progress of the enclosure assembly.

Last winter I used a product named "Microfoam" on in ground camellias here. It is a product that nurserymen use to cover potted stock to protect it over winter. The camellias were rated Z6 and Z7. Some survived some didn't (not necessarily according to zone rating). Light penetrates it. Will try it again this winter and maybe eventually on figs when some go in the ground. All figs are in pots and the garage works and is easier than wrapping for now.
Cath

I have a white genoa I got from belleclare but what is a green genoa? I wouldn't try my white genoa in the ground without covering. The key, I think, is to start with cold hardy varieties. The trees are in Rockaway on the ocean. I cant speak for anyone else but I wouldnt mind seeing the progress.