we've had a fig tree for like 15 years, unsure what type, something like brown turkey fig.

We never used to insulate it. Usually the branches would be white and dead in Spring and we cut it to a stump and it takes all summer to grow the branches and leaves back then then the figs and often not enough time for them to ripen well.

I insulated it two or three times in the past few years and the figs came in much earlier and were much better tasting. The wood got thicker and I didn't insulate it this past winter hoping the wood was thick enough that it won't die in Winter.

Well, it didn't really survive. The wood isn't white and really dead but it's dry and got no leaves, my neighbor has the same type of tree that I propagated a small air layer from this one and it's only two years old and insulated both years and already theirs is full of leaves and figs.

Mine was sending out new branches from the stump but recently about half way on the previous branches is starting to grow leaves, so I pruned out the top half of all the branches and hoping to get some decent figs.

I do landscaping and have seen figs in at least 4 yards, some are slightly colder/north/near bay winds and is never insulated and grows good figs, a few others same thing never insulated but does die back some branches are pruned. Another is someone planted a small starter and didn't insulate and it's not a sunny area (like mine) but it still does fine over winter and has plenty leaves in Spring. Maybe I could just air layer from that one?

Or any suggestions? I didn't look into 'most cold hardy fig' types but my main thing is I don't want to insulate it at all. I do overdo it with the insulating though, takes a couple hours and a bit of a PITA. Instead of just a few wraps of burlap and a tarp (they get pricey when they eventually rip too, Instead I tie it and pack it with leaves then surround it with stacks of full leaf bags and then tarp it.

For my neighbors and maybe mine, this winter I'm just going to build them a cage thing - 4 pressure treated (hate using PT in the garden but basically have to, or maybe metal T posts) 4 corners to attach foam board insulation panels to and pack it with leaves and a flat roof that can all be put together really quick and easy. The roof part to hold snow I'll attach the foam board to a t1-11 panel.

But if I can get a type that doesn't even need insulating then I prefer that even if the harvest isn't as good but still decent.

thanks.