jloeschner

The following advice is based on my experience planting landscape trees in my yard. The advice seems to match most bonsai information I have seen, as well...

Deciduous trees should be planted either in fall or in spring, while the tree is dormant. For bonsai, the common practice is potting, or repotting, in the spring, before the buds swell or break. Planting or repotting after bud break is risky, especially if there is any root work to do at all.

Having said that, I have gone against this advice from time to time, as well. Last year, I planted a chinese elm, several maples, and an oak tree while they were still in leaf. They have all survived so far, but they moped and drooped for several weeks after potting. I simply kept them out of direct sunlight and made sure they were also protected from any prevailing winds and were kept moist. They pulled through, and are now starting to break bud. The chinese elm is already in full leaf, and is doing wonderfully. So, if I were you, I would put the tree out of direct sunlight, but make sure that it still gets some filtered sun, keep it moist, but not dripping wet, and do not let the wind toss it around. Next time, I would repot it while it is dormant instead of while it is in leaf.

Regards,
John

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