ChicagoBonsaiNovice
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These are one year old red oak saplings in Chicago. This is an exterior cubby next to my chimney. Could I overwinter here? If so, what would people recommend I use to cover up the opening?
Can I overwinter (Chicago-6a) in this brick cubby? Advice...
- Thread starter ChicagoBonsaiNovice
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These are one year old red oak saplings in Chicago. This is an exterior cubby next to my chimney. Could I overwinter here? If so, what would people recommend I use to cover up the opening?
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
You probably can, but what direction is it facing, and how much do you use your fireplace?
The best place to winter trees is all about thermodynamics. The more mass, the better it stabilizes temperatures, which is probably the most important part of it. Hence the questions. It has to stay cold - consistently under 50F - so the trees don't try to wake up early on you; but you also want to keep the root ball above freezing if possible.
If your little cubby is facing south on a sunny day, or you're using your fireplace long enough for the outside brick to warm up even a little, you'll warm the space up and risk interrupting dormancy. If that happens your trees may freeze to death when the temperatures drop again, or just not get sufficient rest to thrive the next growing season.
The best place to winter trees is all about thermodynamics. The more mass, the better it stabilizes temperatures, which is probably the most important part of it. Hence the questions. It has to stay cold - consistently under 50F - so the trees don't try to wake up early on you; but you also want to keep the root ball above freezing if possible.
If your little cubby is facing south on a sunny day, or you're using your fireplace long enough for the outside brick to warm up even a little, you'll warm the space up and risk interrupting dormancy. If that happens your trees may freeze to death when the temperatures drop again, or just not get sufficient rest to thrive the next growing season.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
All of the above are good reasons to avoid this. I’d add that brick and concrete can tend to dry pots out water, while keeping the pots on the ground under mulch won’t do that.
