Low Tempertures

[jimlau]

There will be cold nights here this week, 24, 29, and 30 degrees as the low, for several hours a night. I have elms, Japanese and trident maples. Some already have foliage, some not. I have some small and large trees.

Which state of growth and type and size of trees require me to bring them in?

Thanks.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Without seeing the trees, the 24F night will be most challenging. Would bring in all the trees leafing out. Then bring out the smaller trees during the day.

For the big trees leafing out merely keep the garage door open during the day if above 32F until the 3 day cold snap is over.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[rockm]

There will be cold nights here this week, 24, 29, and 30 degrees as the low, for several hours a night. I have elms, Japanese and trident maples. Some already have foliage, some not. I have some small and large trees.

Which state of growth and type and size of trees require me to bring them in?

Thanks.

Once deciduous trees have pushed leaves their roots have lost over 95 percent of their ability to withstand freezing. If I were you I would bring ALL of those trees in, particularly the night of the 24 degree forecast, that's killing temp for a trident in leaf and can substantially damage trunks on elms and JApanese maples that are moving sap. The smaller the tree, the more vulnerable it is and the more damage will be done.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Yep sorry about the slip. Meant to say take outside when above freezing.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Eckhoffw]

Good info. Just brought in all of my budding out deciduous trees, as we’re going to feel the cold snap as well.

 

[takira]

Once sheltered from frost (ex: in garage), are they safe even if the temperature in the garage drops below freezing, or is that still enough to kill off new leaf growth?

 

[jimlau]

Without seeing the trees, the 24F night will be most challenging. Would bring in all the trees leafing out. Then bring out the smaller trees during the day.

For the big trees leafing out merely keep the garage door open during the day if above 32F until the 3 day cold snap is over.

cheers
DSD sends

These are most of my trees.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Yep gotta protect these folks!
Cheers
DSD sends

 

[rockm]

Once sheltered from frost (ex: in garage), are they safe even if the temperature in the garage drops below freezing, or is that still enough to kill off new leaf growth?

If it drops below freezing ANYWHERE the trees are you will face root death, substantial damage, etc.

 

[jimlau]

No garage here. Just an apartment with a glass door. Will the leaved ones being inside for 2 days, out for 2 days, back in for 1 night, weaken the trees with foliage much? Most are getting very low light exposure while inside, even with the glass door.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

As a reminder... water is your friend. If you are on the border of a freeze/frost zone, particularly if you are only going to see freezing temps for an hour or two in the early morning, make sure you water your trees thoroughly the night before.

 

[Dabbler]

The bonsai shuffle: Definition, You see green = freeze will damage or kill = shuffle you A%% and get those tree's inside

 

[namnhi]

No garage here. Just an apartment with a glass door. Will the leaved ones being inside for 2 days, out for 2 days, back in for 1 night, weaken the trees with foliage much? Most are getting very low light exposure while inside, even with the glass door.

I don't see this will harm the trees. The duration is much shorter then shipping trees in the dark box.

 

[NotMarc]

No garage here. Just an apartment with a glass door. Will the leaved ones being inside for 2 days, out for 2 days, back in for 1 night, weaken the trees with foliage much? Most are getting very low light exposure while inside, even with the glass door.

Should be fine. Trees that are just starting to leaf out isn't doing much photosynthesizing. They're mostly using stored starches to grow.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

The children were nestled, all snug in their beds...

 

[Eckhoffw]

The children were nestled, all snug in their beds...

View attachment 534934

Wow, ok , it’s not getting that cold by you is it?

 

[namnhi]

The children were nestled, all snug in their beds...

View attachment 534934

Dude, are those princess persimmon?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Wow, ok , it’s not getting that cold by you is it?

No... actually I was thinking of not bringing anything in. But many of my seedlings and small maples were just starting to bud, and I wouldn't want them to get frost damage because I was too lazy to bring them in for one night. Supposed to get down to 30F tonight, but it is really windy.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Dude, are those princess persimmon?

Yes they are

 

[penumbra]

I have far too many plants to bring in but can make some provisions for some of them. I am expecting some damage but not a lot of loss. I can remember this situation far more times than I care to. What I have seen in the past is that many of my maples, and last year my ginkgos, will primarily loose a season of growth.