1st Frost

doody

Well, we got our first frost last night here in Ohio. I think they said it was down to 28F. Day temps have been in the 60's, but they say we should still get some days in the 70's.

How long should I wait untill I start putting my trees in protection? My deciduous trees will go in a dark garage, but I am building a cold frame for my conifers since they need a little light.

Thanks.

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"What we see depends mainly on what we look for", because "Creation and art are defined only by the boundaries we confine ourselves"

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Jay

I guess the answer is which conifers and deciduous trees do you have? If the tree is native to your area, or is able to grow in the ground in your area, there is no rush (YET). I live in a similar climate, but possible a bit warmer. We have been down to the upper 30's several times but no frost yet. All my trees are still outside and will not come in till after Thanksgiving! If there is no hard frost, there is no woory about freeze thaw problems, or this is what I've been told. The trees are slowly going into there dormancy. The deciduous trees will tell you with their leaves the conifers and other evergreens are different.

Thats my take or .02 cents if you will.

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A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

doody

I thought that conifers are evergreens. Anyway, I have a bunch of junipers that all grow around here. As far as deciduous trees go, I have Hillier elms, and Zelkovas. Some tell me these are hardy to z6, and others say z5. They really have'nt started any major leaf drop yet.

__________________
"What we see depends mainly on what we look for", because "Creation and art are defined only by the boundaries we confine ourselves"

both quotes written by authors unknown

Brian

Doody,, I'm father north than you and can verify zelcova's do allright up here in the winter ,, I keep them in a unheated greenhouse for wind protection , same with the Japanese Black Pines, Trident Maple and Japanese green Leaf Maples Were your at i would think you safe out side just protect them from a winter wind ??

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Brian
Zone 4
Michigan USA

Jay

Perhaps this is a topic for another thread, but, conifers are evergreens.... but not all evergreens are conifers. I believe they need to have cones to be conifers. Yews are not conifers they get berries. PLEASE...someone correct me if I am incorrect. The last thing I need to do is pass on bad info.

Actually not all conifers are evergreens either. Larch, I believe, are conifers,but, not evergreen.

OK if I haven't confused some of you, I know I have confused myself!

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

doody

You definatly lost me

__________________
"What we see depends mainly on what we look for", because "Creation and art are defined only by the boundaries we confine ourselves"

both quotes written by authors unknown

salix

The separation you're looking for is between gymnosperms and angiosperms, a distinction based on the seeds produced, rather than morphological differences in the plants themselves, such as deciduous and evergreen. Not all gymnosperms are evergreen, and not all deciduous trees are angiosperms. I think this issue gets confused pretty frequently. I think for our purposes here, deciduous and evergreen are the relevant terms to consider, and the issue of whether a tree is a gymnosperm or angiosperm is immaterial.


In a less technical sense, though, I think it is clear that when people use the term conifer, they generally mean that the tree is evergreen. I realize it's technically inaccurate, but I think it's still decipherable, and it's easier to type than deciduous gymnosperm.

Ralph

Texas Live oak are deciduous and evergreen.

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Emerging from winter slumber
Bonsai trees burst buds anew
Spring is upon us!


-Paul S.

salix

You'll have to explain that one, I'm afraid. Deciduous means that it sheds its leaves on a seasonal basis, and evergreen means that its foliage persists throughout the year.

I know that many oak trees retain their dead leaves into the spring, then shed them as new leaves grow in, is that what you're talking about? Do the incoming leaves displace and replace existing live, green leaves?