Well I'm in zone 8a, so while not exceptionally warm it has been heating up lately. Last week it was up in the high 70's and 80's, this week a cold front came down so it's dropping back into the 30's at night. It's a high desert environment, so high and mostly dry. I am watering every week now just in case, so I guess I'll give it time. I'm just getting nervous since I'm not good with patience and am not seeing any leaves yet. I suppose I should work on some other projects to pass the time and take my mind off of it. I still need to start some seeds and build a raised bed :D

Toni, I think she meant that she bought a plant, but had she bought a fruit at the grocer it would be $5. I'd say they grow in alkaline soil, because they like the same kind of soil as olives, grapes, and rosemary, well drained sandy soil. For this time of year $5 can be expected for fresh figs. Out of CA or other Medeteranian states figs will be quite pricy, because they don't travel well when ripe and really don't taste as good if not left on the vine (Yes figs are vines) to ripen. They would have to be greenhouse grown if grown in a large enough scale to go to market. That's why most of the time you only see dried figs, which are really good treats in themselves. Given enough light, you should get more fruit eventually, most figs are self fertile and have two crops a year.

Clients, at first glance it looks like winter wind dessication. Seems a bit odd to me that this would be happening this year, as it's been so snowy for all of us northerners, and usually, we see more of this when weather is dry and windy. FWIW, I've seen a few arbor vitae cultivars in my area burn up as well, with no apparent pattern. Since you're new in that location, you may not know much, if anything, about what might have gone on there previously. Here, I'm thinking about things like a big dumping of lawn fertilizer near those trees, improper herbicide use, and the like. Normally, arbs are especially carefree, easy plants, both where I live, and I would think, your area as well. If you are aware of anything that might have happened there earlier, let us know. And be aware, trees often display signs of trouble in a delayed fashion-after the causal agent has ended. Were you in drought last summer/fall? Even though we've had copious moisture here, roughly since December, we were very dry before that. So it could be from drought, with that delayed reaction showing up now. Keep us posted. I'm sure others will chime in. +oM

disintegrated? like turned to dust? did she water it after planting it. figs are drought resistant but thats once established. while young you should supply water when needed. AZ soil will dry out fast so you can add some organic matter to hold the water better. never dig a hole and poor in potting soil, compost, ect in the hole and plant directly in the hole. amend a hole 2 to 3 times the size of the rootball by mixing existing soil with the soil amendment. the bigger the hole the better. also mulching helps cool the roots in the 100+ degree days and slows evaporation. once your roots are older and run deeper it will probably never need to be watered again or need human assistance and will likely outlive you and provide plenty of figs for your grandkids and maybe there kids. remnants of president Thomas Jefferson's fig orchard lived into the the early 1900's and He planted them as early as 1769. If a tree will take care of you for this long it just makes since to do the extra work upfront. If her plant fails don't give up, just try again. Everyone needs a fig tree especially Mom! Good luck.