How Do I Save My Trees From HARSH Winters?

laurengeary

Thanks for the great tips! This should really help. Oh, and there is good news because I slightly scratched the bark of all the trees and they are still green! (I couldnt help it). Oh, and for watering the trees, I usually just water them maybe once every 2-3 weeks or so. I guess it seems to suffice

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GraemeK

what about light? surely evergreens need some light even through winter and being in a garage means they would very little?

G

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laurengeary

I only have one evergreen tree and I set it right by the garage window so it receives some light. Hopefully it is enough light, but I dont know. I was thinking about bringing that out of the garage into the yard so it could get more light.

rlominski

Hi,

I am new and am going through the same thing. I use my unheated garage, put wire shelves up (the closet maid type you get at Home Depot). My garage has one large window that lets light in, and my spruce, black pine, and ezo spruce are all well. I left my alberta spruce and hinoki outside, covered in straw and they are doing well (slight dieback, but generally ok). We get very windy so keeping all outside is a no-no. I keep all of the deciduous trees (japanese maple, trident, and gingko inside). Yes, be sure to water occasionally (get a moisture meter, they are cheap). Water early in the day to try and keep the water from freezing overnight.
When it gets real cold (zone 5) in the teens or below I use a oil filled radiator set on med/high to temper the air. I can keep it 10 or so degrees higher.
I lost a few azaleas since I did not water them occasionaly. This is also dependant on temp, as it gets warmer the plants wake up and need more, but don't drown them!

My question is this - It is now 40-50 days, 20-30 nights. I have started taking the evergreens out during the days, but still put them back in the garage at night, (gets a little tedious). Is this what everybody does?
I am concered that as the garage reaches 50's during the day, the plants awaken and need more light than the window can provide, hench the reason to move them outside for a holiday.
Any thoughts?

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Emperor Fish

Evergreen trees in dormancy need no more light than deciduous trees, ie no light at all, as long as the temperature is low enough, probably no more than 5C.

Think about it this way, the trees in the far north are in virtually total darkness for months, and are also covered with snow. They are mainly conifers.

Or, another way. The trees imported from the orient are placed in temperature-controlled containers, and are in complete darkness for weeks or months, inside a steel box. They come out fine.

Regards,

Fish.

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Deacon Jim

rlominski,
I'm also in zone 5. Columbus, Oh.

Starting this past Saturday night temps are above 32 (no danger of frost). When this happens I bring the deciduous trees out and leave them out until temps drop below freezing. They will stay out till Mr Weatherman says, "frost or below freezing." Then they go back until night temps stay above freezing for at least several days.

THEY don't need it but....Since mine are in a cold frame, I get to take them out and enjoy, take some pictures, plan, and do some wiring.

My evergreens just stay outside on their benches all winter. They seem to do just fine. If it drops to 10-20 below then I keep a bag of mulch on hand and I will put them on the ground and cover. That did not happen this year. Lowest was 2 below so they never left the benches.

Deacon