Out of town, potential frost help!

[Glorfindel]

Recently purchased little (2 foot) Dawn Redwood in zone 6a. Still in nursey pot.
I left town for a few days and had watering set up, but the forecast changed and now the next few nights are supposed to get down to 28-30 degree F. There are a lot of buds on the tree currently. If I was home, I would shelter at night and back out during the day. But, I don't necessarily want to request that additional work. Would it be ok since it isn't severely cold? Would it be ok sheltered out of the sun for a 3 nights/2 days?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Cadillactaste]

Where did they originate from prior to purchase? Acclimating a tree from another climate that is warmer from us...I would be concerned enough to ask one to do the shuffle.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Sheltering it out of the sun...would be no different than putting it in a box and shipping it to a person. Think of it that way. I might do that...if you can't shuffle for the two step.

 

[Glorfindel]

Where did they originate from prior to purchase? Acclimating a tree from another climate that is warmer from us...I would be concerned enough to ask one to do the shuffle.

Got it about 15 miles away. When I picked it up, it was in green house that day with a the others due to concerns for frost.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Got it about 15 miles away. When I picked it up, it was in green house that day with a the others due to concerns for frost.

There is your answer...it was protected from frost. You have a reason for concern then.

 

[penumbra]

It should never have been in a greenhouse. I am in zone 6A and mine are all quite dormant still.

 

[sorce]

I wouldn't worry about it.

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[Glorfindel]

It should never have been in a greenhouse. I am in zone 6A and mine are all quite dormant still.

We have had a really nice last 3 weeks. 3 cold days then back to the 60s

 

[Cadillactaste]

It should never have been in a greenhouse. I am in zone 6A and mine are all quite dormant still.

Well, we don't know where their nursery stock came from. My wisteria from Plant City came from California..so I was told to protect it that early spring.

 

[Glorfindel]

Well, we don't know where their nursery stock came from. My wisteria from Plant City came from California..so I was told to protect it that early spring.

I was told Oregon.

 

[penumbra]

Well that does make a difference. Is it fully leafed out?

 

[leatherback]

There are a lot of buds on the tree currently.

It is spring. Trees get frozen in spring when budding out.
If you are talking light frost, do not worry.

I have incidentally put a few trees in the shed last night. We are dipping to 22F coming night, last night we went down to 27F and many of my trees are with one pair of leaves out of the buds. That is a stage were colder than 28 becomes tricky. Anything 28-32 is normally no problem for climate-local species.

 

[Enfield Snapper]

I was told Oregon.

I have a small Dawn Redwood here in Portland, Oregon in a 5 gallon grow bag that made it through low 20s. A couple of the buds had started opening already and the soil froze. All the buds are pushing now and doing fine, even through a night or two at 28 after it really started waking up. It did lose the ends of a couple fine twigs, but no real damage.

It's never been in a greenhouse, but it was grown from seed here in the area. Just get it on the ground and I suspect the radiant heat will be enough. Push it up next to the house and out of wind if you're concerned. I've offered no protection to any of my trees except for the couple nights we had in the low 20s. They've been through a number of nights at 28 degrees. Almost all of them are on the ground.

Just something to consider as you make your decision.

 

[Glorfindel]

Well that does make a difference. Is it fully leafed out?

No leaves, just buds that look about ready to open.

 

[Cadillactaste]

No leaves, just buds that look about ready to open.

I still fall back on precious care offered upon purchase as a guide. What did you end up doing? Acclimation is key, it sounds as if the nursery you purchased it from understands acclimating from one climate to another safetly. Why take precautions...if none is needed? They were not willing to take a loss.

My local nursery only buys from local Ohio growers . I tend to buy there for my landscape. Things tend to wake up come spring. I've had small minor losses when buying from another nursery...and we have a hard winter.

 

[Glorfindel]

I still fall back on precious care offered upon purchase as a guide. What did you end up doing? Acclimation is key, it sounds as if the nursery you purchased it from understands acclimating from one climate to another safetly. Why take precautions...if none is needed? They were not willing to take a loss.

My local nursery only buys from local Ohio growers . I tend to buy there for my landscape. Things tend to wake up come spring. I've had small minor losses when buying from another nursery...and we have a hard winter.

placed next to the house and covered at night. seems to have turned out just fine.