Urgent advice needed
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I am still a pretty new enthusiast living in Scotland. I M worried because my trees are now all out of protection due to the temperatures being between 5degrees and 15 celsius.
However the forecast today is that we are due heavy snow for a few hours, with a drop to -3.
Do I need to bring everything inside that has leafed out or is weak?
Your expertise will be appreciated greatly.
David
David,
I am in the south of England but the problem is the same. If you can put them in a shed or similar it will help, but it does depend on species. Most of mine have to stay where they are, I put my small ones shohins and mame in the shed also my Trident Maple and Quince that is in flower. the rest are where they have been all the time. Yes may get some damage but it will not kill the tree. If your trees do get covered in snow that will insulate so not a bad thing. We had frost in May last year that did more damage than all winter.
The other thing you could do is cover with fleece, I take the trees out of the shed each morning as it is getting warm during the day,
I hope this helps you,
Geoff
I responded directly but it is almost identical to what Geoff kindly adviced.
A small cold at 0 Celcius may not damage anything, but especially thin leafed Japanese maples are easily having the leaves harmed. It will set the growth back some if the damage is severe. If only the tips are damaged it will mostly be aesthetical damages more than a horticultural setback.
Also, newly transplanted trees must be protected, as they’re more vulnerable. Especially Shohin where the roots freeze quickly in the small pots.
Hi Geoff,
I live in Fife – on the Est coast of Scotland. Can get pretty windy here! Its great to communicate with an enthusiast from the same land mass 🙂
A follow up question for you and Morten;
With the suggestion of a blanket/ fleece – do you drape this directly over the foliage of your trees or do you somehow suspend it? Would a plastic bag be an option – I’ve heard of this being used to also promote budding (AKA the black bag method)?
We have an old bird Avery that is built onto the outside wall of our garage. I am thinking of converting this into a cold frame of sorts. Is the main purpose of a frame for frost protection? I doubt that it will prevent some freezing when below -3 temps.
I really appreciate the insights.
David.
If a blanket then you would need to keep it off delicate branches, but fleece I just drape over. It needs to be pegged as the slightest wind it will lift off.
At the moment my Acers are still tight buds so they should be ok, but the Tridents are open so I put them in the shed. My Larch are almost all in full but I can only cover with fleece as I do not have enough space in the shed.
What part of Fife, we stayed in Culross for a couple of days many years ago now, we used to go to the Trossachs area for a week each June, did it for about 10 years, we hired a caravan on a farm,
Geoff.
Great advice Geoff, I will do some research as I’m not quite sure what you mean by ‘fleece’ or were to obtain it – sounds like a handy option.
I live in Leven – so literally on the coast. We have a decent sized garden that I want to use part of for my bonsai passion!
How big is your collection?
I have about 150 trees, all sizes and stages of development. I have been growing for 20 years plus now. My favourite species is Larch, I have a lot. I do like deciduous, and I have a lot, Scots Pines too.
It must be quite difficult on the coast with salt water spray, especially when you get east winds blowing.
If you go into any garden centre you should find fleece for frost protection. It comes in a roll. As an alternative newspaper over the leaves will help. If you look in Amazon you should find it as well.
That’s great thanks, I’ll pick some up. Going to work on the cold frame this weekend. I imagine I’ll get a greenhouse in a few years perhaps.
My property is about a quarter mile back from the actual North sea and so the salt does not seem to make this far back. Luckily we have lots of alcoves to give wind shelter but I have to constantly keep an eye on the forecast for wind speed.
I only began bonsai 2 years ago, most trees are collected from the mature garden in the old house we bought. Hawthorne, Scots, junipers, japanese maple, birch and beech, one little spruce and an
oak.
I love it but gosh is it teaching me patience 😊
Where have you sourced your material?
Ok, well, I have bought trees from all sorts, from bonsai nurseries and auctions and friends as well as when we have been to shows in this country and the rest of Europe. We went to a large nursery in Holland several years ago and bought some nice trees. So I get them from all over. I recently bought some hedging bare root Field Maples to make into clumps and a forest on a large piece of wood. I don’t but from any internet seller unless I am desperate for the species and I know who the seller is. I have only bought two like that in 20 years and both were last year,
Geoff.
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