Fig trees are native to Europe around the Mediterranean Sea, Asia and Africa, but they can grow in much cooler climates.
无花果树原产于地中海附近的欧洲、亚洲和非洲，但它们可以在更凉爽的气候中生长。
Once mature, fig trees can accept temperatures even a few degrees below freezing. Some kinds of fig trees do better in such environments than others.
一旦成熟，无花果树甚至可以接受冰点以下几度的温度。有些种类的无花果树在这样的环境中甚至能生长得更好。
Associated Press gardening expert Jessica Damiano recently wrote about caring for fig trees. She said all kinds of the trees could use protection.
美联社园艺专家杰西卡·达米亚诺最近写了一篇关于照料无花果树的文章。她说，所有种类的树都可以使用保护措施。
Depending on the weather and pruning, a fig can grow into a shrub or a tree. Shrubs with several stems growing from the ground do best if covered for the winter. Trees with a single stem, or trunk, can be either covered or buried.
根据天气和修剪的情况，无花果可以长成灌木或树。从地面长出几根茎的灌木如果覆盖过冬，效果最好。只有一个茎或树干的树木建议覆盖或掩埋。
Either way, wait until the trees have dropped most of their leaves.
无论采用哪种方式，都要等到树上的大部分叶子都落光了。
One popular method for burying trees for their protection is called "the Minnesota tip."
一种为保护树木而掩埋树木的流行方法叫做“the Minnesota tip”。
It involves digging a narrow, shallow area where the tree can be laid. The space should be about 30 centimeters deep, 60 centimeters wide and as long as the tree is tall.
它包括挖一个狭窄而浅的区域，在那里可以种植树木。空间应该是30厘米深，60厘米宽，和树一样长即可。
To prepare the tree, gather its branches and tie them together with soft rope.
修理树，把树枝聚拢起来，用软绳把它们绑在一起。
Next, push a shovel into the soil about a half-meter from the trunk on the side opposite the hole. Lift that side of the tree's root ball out of the ground.
下一步，把铁铲推入离洞对面的树干约半米的土壤中。将树根球的那一侧抬离地面。
Then, gently push the tree toward the hole.
然后，轻轻地把树往洞里推。
When it is lying flat, cover the tree with plastic.
把树平放好后，用塑料盖住树。
Pack soil around the exposed side of the roots, and around the length of the tree. Load soil over the tree. Make it at least 30 centimeters deep. You will need more soil than you removed from digging.
在树根外露的一侧和树干周围填上土壤。把土盖在树上。至少要有30厘米深。你需要的土壤要比你挖出来的多。
If you are covering, or wrapping, the tree instead, you will need cardboard, a pail, and a roll each of burlap, heavy brown paper and tar paper.
如果你要包裹树，则需要硬纸板，一个桶，以及一卷粗麻布，厚牛皮纸和柏油纸。
If the tree is under three years old, cut it back by one-third its size. Then, pull the branches inward and tie them together with soft but strong rope.
如果树龄不到三岁，就剪掉三分之一。然后，将树枝向内拉，用柔软但结实的绳子将它们绑在一起。
Working upwards from the bottom, put burlap around the tree. Then put heavy brown paper around the burlap and tie it into place.
从底部往上，用粗麻袋包裹住树。然后在粗麻袋周围放上厚厚的牛皮纸，把它系好。
Remove some soil from around the base of the tree. Place a large piece of cardboard into the space and bend it around the bottom half of the tree. Tie the cardboard into place.
从树根周围清理掉一些土壤。将一大块硬纸板放入洞中，然后绕着树的下半部分折叠。把硬纸板扎好。
Next, wrap tar paper around the tree. Position it outward from top to bottom. This will direct rain away from the tree.
接下来，用柏油纸把树包起来。从上到下向外放置。这样可以引导雨水远离树木。
Place soil around the tree's base, creating a little hill. Place a pail upside-down over the top of the tree to keep the rain off.
在树的底部周围铺上土，堆成小山形状。把一个桶倒放在树顶上，以防雨淋。
Unwrap the tree on a cloudy day in early spring, soon after the last frost.
在初春一个多云的日子，即最后一次霜冻过后不久，拆开树的包装即可。
I'm Mario Ritter Jr.
小马里奥·里特报道。
Fig trees are native to Europe around the Mediterranean Sea, Asia and Africa, but they can grow in much cooler climates.
Once mature, fig trees can accept temperatures even a few degrees below freezing. Some kinds of fig trees do better in such environments than others.
Associated Press gardening expert Jessica Damiano recently wrote about caring for fig trees. She said all kinds of the trees could use protection.
Depending on the weather and pruning, a fig can grow into a shrub or a tree. Shrubs with several stems growing from the ground do best if covered for the winter. Trees with a single stem, or trunk, can be either covered or buried.
Either way, wait until the trees have dropped most of their leaves.
One popular method for burying trees for their protection is called "the Minnesota tip."
It involves digging a narrow, shallow area where the tree can be laid. The space should be about 30 centimeters deep, 60 centimeters wide and as long as the tree is tall.
To prepare the tree, gather its branches and tie them together with soft rope.
Next, push a shovel into the soil about a half-meter from the trunk on the side opposite the hole. Lift that side of the tree's root ball out of the ground.
Then, gently push the tree toward the hole.
When it is lying flat, cover the tree with plastic.
Pack soil around the exposed side of the roots, and around the length of the tree. Load soil over the tree. Make it at least 30 centimeters deep. You will need more soil than you removed from digging.
If you are covering, or wrapping, the tree instead, you will need cardboard, a pail, and a roll each of burlap, heavy brown paper and tar paper.
If the tree is under three years old, cut it back by one-third its size. Then, pull the branches inward and tie them together with soft but strong rope.
Working upwards from the bottom, put burlap around the tree. Then put heavy brown paper around the burlap and tie it into place.
Remove some soil from around the base of the tree. Place a large piece of cardboard into the space and bend it around the bottom half of the tree. Tie the cardboard into place.
Next, wrap tar paper around the tree. Position it outward from top to bottom. This will direct rain away from the tree.
Place soil around the tree's base, creating a little hill. Place a pail upside-down over the top of the tree to keep the rain off.
Unwrap the tree on a cloudy day in early spring, soon after the last frost.
I'm Mario Ritter Jr.
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Words in This Story
mature -adj. fully developed, fully grown
prune -v. to cut some parts of a tree or bush so that it will grow or look better
shrub -n. a plant that has stems of wood but is smaller than a tree
stem -n. a thin, long part of a plant that rises above the soil and supports the leaves and flowers
shovel -n. a tool used for digging the soil
pail -n. a round container that is open at the top and usually has a handle
exposed -adj. something that is not covered or protected
burlap -n. a rough, strong cloth used for making bags
tar -n. a thick, black substance that melts easily but hardens when it is cool
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