Cold Weather Situation

We all (or mostly) agree that most of our trees should stay outside. Mostly winter temps here go down to freezing at night with highs anywhere from several degrees above freezing to a lot.

Next week several nights the lows are 15F/-10C with moderate winds. Most around here are moving trees inside a garage or other unheated room. In the past I have put them in the garage, but the garage won't work this time. We have a dryer coming in through the garage, I have to have a path clear. and there won't be anywhere to put more than a few trees in.

I can put them on the ground with a tarp over them, or put them in the downstairs room for two or three nights. There are a couple that I think have to have some shelter, like an olive and some others but there won't be room for at least twenty. Bringing them into the house would have to be negotiated with the other member, maybe more of a problem than 25% humidity..

There are azaleas, a gingko, maples, sweet gums, one year old cuttings, etc.

Recommendations?

I would definetely try to protect 1 year old cuttings.

I have had azalea and maples below -10c for 6 weeks in a row without problems. Ginko and sweet gum I don't know.

Tropfrog wrote:

I would definetely try to protect 1 year old cuttings.

I have had azalea and maples below -10c for 6 weeks in a row without problems. Ginko and sweet gum I don't know.

Is it a problem having moderately cold temps and then dropping substantially?

I guess it depends on what moderately cold and dropping substantially means to you. Normally temps do not drop more than 10c over night here.

I thing the longevity of the cold spell is more important than the actual temperature or drop. For evergreens, the amount of sun recieved during the cold spell proboably makes a difference as well.

Tropfrog wrote:

I guess it depends on what moderately cold and dropping substantially means to you. Normally temps do not drop more than 10c over night here.

I thing the longevity of the cold spell is more important than the actual temperature or drop. For evergreens, the amount of sun recieved during the cold spell proboably makes a difference as well.

Actually, what matters is what they mean to the trees. I remember waiting for the school bus at temps colder than this and seeing nothing but snow November to March. I don't think it's going to be that bad.

My wife suggested I bring a lot of the clutter from the garage into the den and free the space up for the trees. Genius.

Decluttering is always a good idea

Tropfrog wrote:

Decluttering is always a good idea

Moving clutter from room to room isn't quite the same as decluttering. Unfortunately. I may wind up tossing some stuff.

Not the bicycle. I'll keep that.