Fall/Winter protection for newly collected American Larch

[Nomad]

Earlier this year I collected several new American larches, the first of my collection. While they have not shown any signs of deterioration or shock, and appear healthy, and despite their typically hearty and rugged trees in nature, I am still a little concerned about the first frosts and winter.

So I would appreciate any methods/advice for wintering first year American Larches that you have. Thank you.

 

[JudyB]

I don't know where you are, but I think unless you live in Siberia that you don't need to worry about it. They are super cold hardy, and will decline and die without a good cold winter.

 

[Nomad]

Thank you, and I live in upstate New York, where larches (tamaracks as we Upstaters call them; we are a primitive folk) grow naturally, so I do think they will be fine. But I was just concerned.

 

[rps]

more so than the cold, the thing/s to take precautions against are:
a) drying winds, and
b) the potential for freeze-thaw-freeze cycles in spring (prompting premature bud-break)

standard practice applies: a sheltered corner with the least amount of direct sun combined with mulch well above pot level. also, snow is your friend. My tamarack stay buried as late into the season as volumes allow. I've only lost larch in years of unusually scant snow fall.

The foregoing, of course, applies to all winter dormant species in pot culture --- but (in a cruel twist) the larch's hardiness make them especially prone to early budding in a sunny corner.

footnote: I am in hardiness zone 3a and am inclined by temperament to error on the side of caution.