I think my Juniper is dead, need advice on how to care for a new tree

[thegoat25312]

Hi all,

I believe that this Juniper i have is dead. Is there any saving here? I live in Michigan where we have intense winter climates and fairly moderate summers. This tree just got through it's first winter and i am afraid i did not properly take care of it. I left it in my garage in a cardboard box up against the side of the house closest to the heat. It did not receive any sunlight or water for 4 straight months probably (although i did happen to put snow on it for a few times). In the summer i would water it either every day or every other day depending how warm/sunny it was. I also left it mainly in direct sunlight. I would give the tree fertilizer maybe once a month during the warm months of summer. Any suggestions or recommendations moving forward on how to care for these trees during the dorment period of winter? Was i doing anything wrong? I thought it was also worth mentioning that i accidentally knocked this tree over when i first got it and it happened to lose a little layer of soil which exposed some roots. I am unsure this was a factor. I think i am going to get a Pine tree next since they do better in colder, northern climates. Is the process for caring for a Pine much different than a Juniper? I appreciate it!

Thanks!

 

[Jrmcmich]

Probably not enough water in winter. I feel It’s easier to keep trees outside all year and just burry pots in mulch or make a cold frame that has a lid to close during extreme temperatures but otherwise open. I have not had to water in winter doing this with rain amd snow but in garage definitely seems like you would need to monitor amd water possibly weekly or every other week. Others might have better insight but does look like time to find another tree or two or ten

 

[rockm]

View attachment 597985

Hi all,

I believe that this Juniper i have is dead. Is there any saving here? I live in Michigan where we have intense winter climates and fairly moderate summers. This tree just got through it's first winter and i am afraid i did not properly take care of it. I left it in my garage in a cardboard box up against the side of the house closest to the heat. It did not receive any sunlight or water for 4 straight months probably (although i did happen to put snow on it for a few times). In the summer i would water it either every day or every other day depending how warm/sunny it was. I also left it mainly in direct sunlight. I would give the tree fertilizer maybe once a month during the warm months of summer. Any suggestions or recommendations moving forward on how to care for these trees during the dorment period of winter? Was i doing anything wrong? I thought it was also worth mentioning that i accidentally knocked this tree over when i first got it and it happened to lose a little layer of soil which exposed some roots. I am unsure this was a factor. I think i am going to get a Pine tree next since they do better in colder, northern climates. Is the process for caring for a Pine much different than a Juniper? I appreciate it!

Thanks!

Your climate isn't the problem. It's user error. You have to provide decent winter protection for junipers and pines and whatever other temperate zone trees you have. Your luck with a pine will be much the same if you overwinter it in the same way. As for care in the summer, watering depends on the tree's needs, not your schedule. Evergreens should be in direct sun from spring to autumn. There is an argument they also need light in the winter.

Protecting the roots and providing adequate moisture are keys to overwinter trees like this. Dried out roots freeze more quickly and deeply than roots that have adequate moisture. Drying out in the winter is mostly a death sentence.

There are many ways to overwinter bonsai. Much depends on local climate and species. I mulch Bald Cypress, elms, Japanese and Trident maple, and Satsuki azaleas into garden beds under six to seven inches of hardwood mulch from late Nov. to early April. Their tops are exposed to the weather. Their roots are insulated underneath the mulch. The mulch remains moist through the winter. The aim is snot to keep roots "warm" but to keep them from being exposed to the extremes of winter. Mulch piles hold on to and trap ambient "heat" from the ground and remain ten to 15 degrees "warmer" relative to air temperature. Large mulch piles can take months to freeze through completely and don't get nearly as cold as the air temps above. Trees in them get adequate water from precipitation (snow is your friend BTW). It would be best if you could find someone in your area who has successfully overwintered bonsai. Ask them how they do it. Clubs are a great source of this kind of information.

The exact way you overwinter your trees will probably vary, which is why seeking local advice is best.

Sorry for the nagging, but you're being taught some basic bonsai lessons with this tree. Listen to them.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Look around your area at the trees that grow naturally there. Pay special attention to oaks, maples, elms... and pines, spruces, junipers, firs. If they grow naturally in your USDA zone, your odds of keeping them as bonsai will improve dramatically. Over the years, I have lost more trees to under-watering than all other causes combined. You may worry about winter cold, but probably the greatest risk is low winter humidity - and trees drying out because they are being kept in small pots. Your juniper would probably have done better outside in a spot in your garden, with 6" of pine bark mulch protecting the pot and the tree. Not only does this protect the tree from swings in temp, it keeps the rootball from drying out.

Don't worry - we have all killed tons of trees in our day. You will soon reach a point where you are creating many more trees (through propagation) than you kill

 

[Paradox]

You can't leave a tree in a garage for 4 months with no water. When I overwintered in my garage, I used to water them once a week.

Others gave you good advice above about general care. We all lost trees when we started. Get another juniper and try again. Pines are similar, but I'd consider them a bit higher on the learning curve

 

[Bonsai Nut]

When I overwintered in my garage, I used to water them once a week.

When I overwintered trees in my garage in Chicago, I used to place snowballs or ice cubes on the soil. Whenever the temps rose above freezing, the ice would melt. It was a cheap and easy way to make sure the soil never became bone dry.

 

[Paradox]

When I overwintered trees in my garage in Chicago, I used to place snowballs or ice cubes on the soil. Whenever the temps rose above freezing, the ice would melt. It was a cheap and easy way to make sure the soil never became bone dry.

Yea that works well if you have snow often enough to do that.
Enough snow to do that isn't so reliable here any more.

also my garage is too warm so I moved to keeping my trees in a coldframe and it works much better.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I would seek a local club and get some local advice on what works for wintering for other people.

I have not lost an established juniper to cold temps yet in zone 7. It seems to me that the combination of lack of water, placement next to a heater, and possible poor substrate from seller are to blame.