First winter with snow - stupid question

BrianBay9

So this California boy is now shovelling snow on a regular basis. (For those of you who know me from San Fran or San Diego.......ICK!!!)

Here are some pics of my hardy trees (lodgepole, ponderosa, limber pine, jack pine). These were all buried in pea gravel, then mulched. I know snow cover is a good thing for insulation. The question is, can you have too much snow cover? In these pics, about half the trees are totally invisible. The pics were taken early in the day, and now we have about 4 more inches.

Should I at least be able to see each tree? Or are they happy down there in the dark?

Last pic is garage storage of the less hardy trees.

Brian

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rockm

Let them be. Removing snow (unless branches are in danger of snapping--then shake them VERY slowly to reduce snow load) can do vastly more damage than leaving it alone--it provides more even temperature and moisture (when things start to thaw) than even mulch.

irene_b

Eww that stuff looks cold and wet!
Why is there snow on the ones in the garage?
Irene

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BONSAI_OUTLAW

Irene....You didn't know that it snows even in garages in Colorado That is "garage snow."

Bonsai Barry

Yes. and in the winter its where you'll find dust bunnies hibernating.

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BrianBay9

I have to take the blame for some of the 'garage snow'. I was trying the neighbor's snowblower, and the garage door was open......Shovelling seems to be more my speed.

However, some of the bonsai locals suggested using snow as a time-released watering method while I was out on vacation. If the temp in the garage gets up a bit, the slow melt makes sure the plants stay moist.

BB

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BrianBay9

Thanks Rock. I appreciate the reassurance.

Brian

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