FREEZE HEAVE
As a Bonsai nursery (what I call my growing grounds) one of the issues or pitfalls we have to stay on top of is the weather.
Trees are placed on the ground instead of being kept on their stands.
With trees kept in their containers (and many are shallow) a freeze can be the death of a tree.
Most pots are under 5 inches tall (their entire root structure is in that pot).
The level of care in winter time increases to make sure they survive what nature puts out, from winds that can dry them out to a freeze heave.
Freeze Heave is the roots freezing and being lifted out of their pots from trapped water (this is called the death of a tree) and being exposed above their pot which protects the roots.
Prior to any freeze a tree is inspected to make sure they are firm on the ground and watered very well.
Because of the substrate (lava) I use with my trees they are very free flowing with air exchange for the roots.
(this is a cedar elm)
(Yews)
(Korean hackberry)
Notice that each is well in their pots and firm on the ground.
Do you worry about freeze heave with your plants?
What extra steps do you have to do for your area to protect your plants?
Come chime in and chat!
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You are a very dedicated person to put all that hard work and love into your trees. Winter sure gives you extra work doesn't it? I love seeing the photos of your trees.
In a regular garden winter is the slow down, in the bonsai world it ramps up.
I can't remember if I've asked you this already. Do you grow the trees for your own pleasure, or do you grow them to sell?
Both.
Cover with leaves 🍂 helps with frost heaving
here in Alaska. I would use them for free from the
many birch trees in the fall when they dumped
them all, would pile them up over the raised beds,
it worked real good. Some years didn't get much
snow and it was really needed to insulate want you
wanted to survive. That and lawn clippings were
used prior over the summer then the leaves. 🍁
Perennials always came back with good cover.
Sure hope you keep warm and safe gf!! ❤
I try not to let leaves cover them, too many bugs love to winter under them. Not to often do we get snow here. I am fur lined this morning ;-)
Thank you for sharing your post. Those are beautiful trees, you sure would not want the frost to kill them.
Nope I would be upset!