Trees waking early-Avoiding the shuffle

[Kahless]

I kept my trees in a mulched in spot in my garden for the winter. I only have a south-facing area since I live in a condo so I covered with a tarp (silver side out to reflect sun) to block sunlight and left large open areas for air flow so they wouldn't overheat. Still got pretty warm in there but I knew I needed to shade them too so I kept the cover on. It has been incredibly warm here in Minnesota and winter is not over until mid-April which is when my trees usually wake up. I see some buds starting to swell and show green . I have 60 trees and I cannot shuffle them all inside and out of the garage. If they all start waking up in March should I try to make my cold storage into more of a greenhouse? Will layers of tarp be enough to keep them warm during cold nights? I can't stop worrying about them, as usual.

 

[Kahless]

Here is a picture

 

[Melospiza]

If these are trees that are hardy in Minnesota winters, why do they need this tarp arrangement in the first place? And if they are not hardy, a tarp wouldn't protect them from a deep prolonged freeze anyway. Why do they need to be shaded?

 

[Kahless]

If these are trees that are hardy in Minnesota winters, why do they need this tarp arrangement in the first place? And if they are not hardy, a tarp wouldn't protect them from a deep prolonged freeze anyway. Why do they need to be shaded?

I think I was told at some point to block the sun during winter storage. Maybe because it would keep them asleep longer. I would love to not have to do this in the future.

 

[Kanorin]

I don't know that there is a good solution here...the spring shuffle is kind of the way of life in the midwest. I've got several trees with leaves sprouting because we had about 10 days over 60 degrees. Last night dropped down to 26 degrees and windy - had to bring all of my repotted trees and leafing out trees into the garage.

How many of your trees are waking up now? Maybe just shuffle the ones whose buds have opened?

One other thought - on nights where the low is between 32 and 45, open up the tarp all the way and allow the trees to experience that mild cold. It should slightly delay them opening.

 

[Melospiza]

It sounds like any trapped warmth is causing your trees to leaf out. So....

 

[Kahless]

It sounds like any trapped warmth is causing your trees to leaf out. So....

Right,it seems to have had the opposite effect

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Looks like you have quite a bit invested, maybe use the tarp and add a heating cable under just those leafed?

 

[Kahless]

I don't know that there is a good solution here...the spring shuffle is kind of the way of life in the midwest. I've got several trees with leaves sprouting because we had about 10 days over 60 degrees. Last night dropped down to 26 degrees and windy - had to bring all of my repotted trees and leafing out trees into the garage.

How many of your trees are waking up now? Maybe just shuffle the ones whose buds have opened?

One other thought - on nights where the low is between 32 and 45, open up the tarp all the way and allow the trees to experience that mild cold. It should slightly delay them opening.

It’s just one tree for now, so not a big deal to shuffle. Just worried it will more soon

 

[Melospiza]

A heating cable, lol. Let's stack this house of cards even higher!

 

[Paradox]

Yea unfortunately with the location of that cold frame, having a tarp over them on warm and/or sunny days will kinda act like a greenhouse.

If you can, I would move that coldframe to the north side of your house against the foundation ideally or the east side if the north isn't possible. That would place it in less sunlight and help keep it cooler. Only cover the trees if it will be below 30.

EDIT just read that you only have a south facing area. I would be very careful about when you cover them.

I have a coldframe on the north side of my hose made from cement blocks. I cover it with sheets of pvc when I have to. I can keep the trees in there until it's safe to put them on the benches. I don't do the shuffle any more, I have too many trees for that.

 

[NateDyk47]

I don't have anything breaking dormancy yet, but I have a big cart that I plan to load up trees that require shuffling. I'm just going to wheel the cart in and out of the shed until I'm somewhat confident they won't need shelter again. Doesn't avoid the shuffle entirely, but it's easier than carrying them all individually.

GORILLA CARTS 1,200 lbs. Heavy Duty Steel Utility Garden Cart, 9 cu. ft. Capacity, 13 in. Pneumatic Tires, 2-in-1 Pull or Tow Handle GOR1200-COM - The Home Depot

N\A

www.homedepot.com

 

[Paradox]

I don't have anything breaking dormancy yet, but I have a big cart that I plan to load up trees that require shuffling. I'm just going to wheel the cart in and out of the shed until I'm somewhat confident they won't need shelter again. Doesn't avoid the shuffle entirely, but it's easier than carrying them all individually.

GORILLA CARTS 1,200 lbs. Heavy Duty Steel Utility Garden Cart, 9 cu. ft. Capacity, 13 in. Pneumatic Tires, 2-in-1 Pull or Tow Handle GOR1200-COM - The Home Depot

N\A

www.homedepot.com

I have one of these carts too. They are a life saver and help tremendously when you can move 2 to 6+ trees at once depending on size instead on one or two at a time. One of my best investments for bonsai

 

[Kahless]

I don't have anything breaking dormancy yet, but I have a big cart that I plan to load up trees that require shuffling. I'm just going to wheel the cart in and out of the shed until I'm somewhat confident they won't need shelter again. Doesn't avoid the shuffle entirely, but it's easier than carrying them all individually.

GORILLA CARTS 1,200 lbs. Heavy Duty Steel Utility Garden Cart, 9 cu. ft. Capacity, 13 in. Pneumatic Tires, 2-in-1 Pull or Tow Handle GOR1200-COM - The Home Depot

N\A

www.homedepot.com

Thanks, this is a good idea

 

[Hack Yeah!]

A heating cable, lol. Let's stack this house of cards even higher!

Lol, cheaper than moving!

 

[Dav4]

I’d lose the tarp except for extreme cold going forward. If the pots are adequately mulched, the trees will be fine with typical freezing weather, though I’d get the tarp back out if temperatures are falling into low 20s F or leaf edges are showing… that’s when the frost/freezing temperatures could be dangerous.

 

[Melospiza]

I’d lose the tarp except for extreme cold going forward. If the pots are adequately mulched, the trees will be fine with typical freezing weather, though I’d get the tarp back out if temperatures are falling into low 20s F or leaf edges are showing… that’s when the frost/freezing temperatures could be dangerous.

They're in Minnesota. The temperatures should be 20 degrees or below for 3 months of the year (in a typical winter, not this one). I don't understand how tarp will help in that case, or why it is needed at all. Tarp or fleece may help stave off low temps for a few hours, and might be effective for overnight freezes in GA, but they are not going to help in a 3-month long deep freeze.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

They're in Minnesota. The temperatures should be 20 degrees or below for 3 months of the year (in a typical winter, not this one). I don't understand how tarp will help in that case, or why it is needed at all. Tarp or fleece may help stave off low temps for a few hours, and might be effective for overnight freezes in GA, but they are not going to help in a 3-month long deep freeze.

I believe everyone is trying to help the OP through THIS season.

 

[Melospiza]

I believe everyone is trying to help the OP through THIS season.

Sorry, I could have been more helpful. Even now it's not too late to just get rid of the tarp and let the trees wake up slowly with the season.

 

[Kahless]

Sorry, I could have been more helpful. Even now it's not too late to just get rid of the tarp and let the trees wake up slowly with the season.

I’m getting rid of it. I just wanted it for shade but it traps heat unfortunately