Preparing For Winter

[EverydayDiesel]

Hello,

I would like to prepare for winter here in north dallas texas. We usually get one or two freeze days per year and I would like to protect my plants.

So far my collection is
1. Japanese Maples
2. Bald Cypress
3. Metasequoia

I dont really have anywhere that I can plant them in the ground. What precautions should I take for these temperatures.

Here are the average temps in my area

Orange = Average High
Light Blue = Average Low
Dark Blue = Record Low

Thanks in advance!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

What have you read so far and what are you planning at this point?
Post your plan and see if anyone in the DFW area can help you tweak it.

 

[EverydayDiesel]

This is my first winter with bonsai's and they are very young (about 1-2 years old)
I was planning to move the trees to a place where there is very little sun/wind but still get rain(and the very rare snow)
Water them about every 2 weeks.

I do have soil temperature monitors that I will use to monitor the soil. Does anyone know the range of temperatures that the roots can get?

 

[sorce]

Don't have a watering plan!

Gotta keep checking!

Bro! Sounds like Corona weather to me, bathing suits and water fights, bbq!

You know.....summer!

Lol.

I think when you contact locals you will be plenty at ease!

Sorce

 

[Vin]

None of the trees you listed need winter protection in your area. If you're really concerned, you can bring them in a garage or shed type structure on the few days that have freeze warnings. You may want to water them a little more often than every 2 weeks. Of course that depends on the soil but the big concern is you don't want them to dry out.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

In Dallas, all the species you listed are fully winter hardy. The maple I would take off the bench and set it on the ground in a spot that is in the shade all day, and leave it there until the buds start to swell in spring. Then return it to its growing area. The others are fully hardy, even up in the Chicago area, so you could just keep them where they are. Though if any of the Dallas area growers weigh in, follow their advice, rather than mine from the great white north.

 

[lieuz]

First off, I'm from Virginia Zone 7A and we've had a slew of brutal winters where my trees have been hit pretty hard. Hell, my front door tree has died and has been mulched due to those winters. Some of my bonsai has died back and some has really took a hard blow which lead me to restyle a few of them. So my experience is a little bit different. Like you've and the other members have mentioned, make sure you protect them against the wind. That's really the main concern. As trees switch over to dormancy, the energy of the tree transitions into the roots so they are what you really want to protect. You also don't necessarily need to bury them "into" the ground and "into" being the key word. You can simply place them on the ground and just mulch around and on them. Don't put them on concrete or brick. I've mulched mine in just yesterday and I have a fenced in yard so I'm covered from wind; at least somewhat mitigated. I've also raked in the leaf litter from around the yard as well to add to the bulk. Once the snow comes, it'll help with mulch barrier you've created.

If you haven't; I'd definitely look this over, it definitely helped me understand what the tree goes through and what needs to be done.

http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics_WinterCare page2.html

For what it's worth though, your list of trees in your area are fully hardy like the others have mentioned. I think you're in good shape.