Originally Posted by Tobias

let me describe my overwintering setup for you. keep in mind it is made out of necessity and not out of what i think is best. i don't know what else to do giving my apartment situation

there are two trees; 1 zelkova serrata, 1 acer beurgerianum (or however the hell you spell it!). since i'm in zone 4 i'm obviously more concerned about the trident maple, since i've heard they are notoriously unhearty (definitely not a word).

my setup is as follows. big gigantic 35 gallon plastic tub. full of peat humus(which i used because the hardware store didn't have any bark mulch left). the trees are buried 3/4 down in the humus, which is quite damp, and the plastic top has been placed on the tub. this tub is placed outside on my porch which is about 10 feet off the ground and facing southwest.

as i type this i realize how absurd my setup is. i would much rather have a garage or basement folks, but i don't.

the real question is whether i should leave the top on the tub or not? i'm concerned that by leaving the top on i'm not allowing any water in the already moist "mulch" to evaporate, and thus creating a condition that is very conducive to root rot - a problem i had last winter with my consequently very dead juniperus procumbens. however, i'm also concerned that by taking the top off i'll be making the soil on average a couple of degrees colder, which is a couple degrees i might not have to spare considering that i have a trident maple in there and i live in vermont. i'm praying for heavy snow all winter - then i won't have to worry so much.

so what do you guys think i should? top on or off? no, moving is not an option. any other suggestions are welcome.

thanks in advance,

tobias