Chinese Elm Dead After Winter

[tibley]

Hey guys. pretty new to bonsai still (3 years). Last year I kept my Chinese elm inside for the winter and it did great but i read around and learned that I should keep it outside during winter to let it go dormant. This year I left it outside for the winter where its gets really cold (down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit) and it appears to be dead now in May. Im wondering how i can avoid this from happening again in the future? How should I be wintering my plants is what I would like some advice on. I also just picked up a dwarf jade and want to know if this should be kept outdoors during the winter as well?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jrmcmich]

Did you use a cold frame or bury pots in mulch to protect tree? I would probably make a cold frame to keep wind off trees and can close top during extreme temps. That what I have some in Ohio but not as cold as you. Jade will need to go inside in winter and probably below 42 or so at least that’s what I do for ,y tropicals

 

[Colorado]

I think that Minnesota is much too cold in the winter for Chinese elm to survive outside. I have tried Chinese elm - a few different cultivars - here in Colorado. I treated them the same as my other deciduous species, and the Chinese elms either died or lost all branches back to the trunk. While other species that are more cold hardy had no die back at all with same treatment.

If you really want Chinese elm, probably best to keep it in a garage or something similar over winter. I think you’re much better off just doing species that are actually cold hardy in your area. Blue spruce, Amur maple, RMJ, shimpaku…to name just a few. Something that you can just keep outside over winter without much hassle. Thats what I’m gravitating towards, anyway, here on the Colorado Front Range where it also gets down to -10F at least once a year it seems.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I lost a few chinese elms myself here in NJ. I dont think ill continue with them here in favor of more naturalized native varieties. Just seem temperamental.

 

[penumbra]

Get a Siberian Elm.

 

[Paradox]

I lost a few chinese elms myself here in NJ. I dont think ill continue with them here in favor of more naturalized native varieties. Just seem temperamental.

I'm really surprised you've had trouble with them. They seem to do ok here in southeast NY

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I'm really surprised you've had trouble with them. They seem to do ok here in southeast NY

I think its just my neglect, honestly. I have a batch of 3rd old cuttings that Ill grow on but Idk... I lost a few.trees last year I was surprised about. Nothing of serious worth, but I didnt set up my wintering the way I have in the past and I think that had a lot to do with it.

 

[tibley]

I think its just my neglect, honestly. I have a batch of 3rd old cuttings that Ill grow on but Idk... I lost a few.trees last year I was surprised about. Nothing of serious worth, but I didnt set up my wintering the way I have in the past and I think that had a lot to do with it.

Yeah neglect was definitely a factor, I just assumed that i could leave them out there and they'd be fine... ya live in ya learn I guess. I'm in my mid twenty's so I got a lot of time to figure it out@

 

[tibley]

Did you use a cold frame or bury pots in mulch to protect tree? I would probably make a cold frame to keep wind off trees and can close top during extreme temps. That what I have some in Ohio but not as cold as you. Jade will need to go inside in winter and probably below 42 or so at least that’s what I do for ,y tropicals

I did not use any sort of cold frame, Ill probably try to make one this summer or else ill just stick to more cold hardy species!

 

[tibley]

Get a Siberian Elm.

Will look into this. Thanks! I love the look of elm leaves

 

[Paradox]

I did not use any sort of cold frame, Ill probably try to make one this summer or else ill just stick to more cold hardy species!

Keep in mind that any tree in a pot will not be as cold hardy as the same tree in the ground which is why you see people saying you have to give them some protection in the winter. It can be as simple as mulched in against the foundation of your house

 

[Nera]

I am always fascinated by others and their trees during winter time, like Nigel Saunders over in Canada. Those kind of temperatures are so foreign to me, which is why I enjoy watching the videos. If you tossed me into those conditions I would be at a total loss, lol. Being in South Africa, in Johannesburg we can get down to freezing overnight or early morning hours during winter, but really nothing like USA/Canada winter conditions and temps.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

To be fair my neglect was not because my set up hadnt worked in the past. With kids, work, etc, just didnt have a chance to set up my wind protection. I also was trying to document fall status of trees without considering the tree's needs at the time... Im hoping to have a much better set up for next winter.

 

[rockm]

I'm really surprised you've had trouble with them. They seem to do ok here in southeast NY

I am surprised as well. We have pretty comparable winters here in No Va. I left a cork bark CE out this winter with no protection. Just on the ground. Got down to 3 F for three nights in a row in Jan had a pretty rough winter for the most part. The CE was fine.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Think it got too wet and rotted. Havent pulled it out of the pot yet to investigate.

 

[shohin_branches]

I had a Chinese elm take until July 10th once to leaf out after I didn't give it any winter protection