As we begin to move into the colder months here in Colorado, I’m hoping to get some advice on overwintering. For conifers (e.g., atlas cedar, nana, and hinoki) and deciduous (e.g., trident, acer, beech) trees that can stand up to colder temperatures, how much protection do folks generally provide? We live in the metro area and don’t have quite enough space for a greenhouse, but we do have a garage. I’ve also heard window wells can offer some protection (which we can make use of as well). Thank you in advance!
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11 Comments
Andy gave you some great advice. You do want to avoid the freeze and thaw cycles on your trees. Wind is your worst enemy as it will dry them out in a hurry and kill them depending on the species. Of the species you originally listed I would not keep any of them outside in Colorado and would put them in your garage. Conifers will do just fine in your garage with no light. Or you could put in a fluorescent light if you want. You can also use a seedling heating pad in a garage to keep roots warmer on trees that might be somewhat iffy or may be not well to help them survive the winter. Nursery container trees can be kept outside in a protected place out of the sun and set directly on the ground. Build a wall around the trees with bales of straw one bale high. Level the pots off and insulate the trees with fallen leaves shoved very tightly in between the pots and straw bales. Add leaves to the top of the pots. Remember to water these trees during the winter. This is only for cold hardy nursery stock. Does not apply to Cotoneaster, Sage, or Sage type plants. Be sure to move these trees out into sunlight when they break dormancy. Failure to do so will result in long leggy branches and probably die sometime latter. I have some other ideas and suggestions on my website you might find helpful here: https://rockymtnbonsai.com/index.php/bonsai-basics/winter-care/
Hey Stew:
Really great question. For the conifer and cold hardy species I'd put them on the ground and heel them in with mulch to the rim of the pot. Make sure they are out of both the direct sun and especially wind. In the weeks where we don't get snow you will need to check and water them. Many folks have a cold frame, which is an upgrade from this. Window well with mulch is similar to this, but you have to be able to monitor the watering. Caveat: if your trees are in SMALL containers.... you may want to bring them into the garage and watch h20 closely.
Deciducous stuff ideally should go in unheated garage with a bit of light. Watch the watering until you figure out which trees can tolerate the above treatment (maybe beech, but not maples).
Hope this helps. Could really be about an half an hour discussion.
Andy
Yes bring them into the garage etc. then set them back outside after it warms up till they drop their leaves.