Moving from Texas to Michigan

[Apex37]

Apologies - I've been a bit MIA over the past year. The last year has been a lot and my family has had our share of struggles through out. I'm just thankful we're coming out the other side.

The time has come and we're set to be moving up to Michigan here in a little over a month! This has been something we've been working towards trying to make happen and we finally crossed the final hurdle and are finishing closing on a home on Friday. We're moving to zone 6a, about 30m SE of Grand Rapids. If anyone local to GR, or the area, is looking to make a new friend, hit me up. I don't know anyone out there, but I'll be joining the West Michigan Bonsai Club shortly after the move.

While this is probably not the most ideal time to move with regards to plants, I'll make due as best as I can. With that said, I do have some concerns with winter protection as this will be vastly different from the 8b winters I'm used to. I'm thinking since most of the ground will be either frozen, or very close to, storing trees in the attached unheated garage should hopefully suffice. If anybody has advice or recommendations, whether it be about the move itself, or overwintering practices, I'm all ears.

I'll work on updating posts that I have over the coming weeks as I have fall clean up in full swing here. I'm just happy to see this site still active with all the support that has made this place so special! I'm forever thankful for those that have taken the time to help me on my journey.

 

[PA_Penjing]

Some really beautiful tree species that thrive up there. Will be jealous of your larches, spruces and pines

 

[Dav4]

Welcome to the frozen white North! I’m just outside of Detroit so on the other side of the state, but our weather will be similar, though I bet you’ll get a lot more lake affect snow, which is fantastic. And unheated garage will work for when your trees arrive, but depending on species, the more cold hardy species will probably do better outside if they’ve already experienced some sub freezing weather this fall.…less risk of waking up prematurely next year. @GreatLakesBrad lives out your way and can probably give you some tips. Good luck with the move!

 

[rockm]

Glad to hear things are turning around. Seems you’re making a reverse retirement destination It’s usually moving from a cold place to a warmer place

Species you’re talking about. Can’t really give much help without that info

 

[Wulfskaar]

Some really beautiful tree species that thrive up there. Will be jealous of your larches, spruces and pines

This was my first thought as well.

One of these days, I'll move away from Southern CA.

 

[markyscott]

There is a good group of folks in Grand Rapids. Send me a pm and I can help connect you with them.

- s

 

[shohin_branches]

Welcome to the upper Midwest! I'm across "The Lake" from you in Milwaukee.

An attached garage should help you replicate something closer to zone 7 or 8. I do recommend that you have a backup already in place for the polar vortex weeks that seem to pop up in the last decade. I use an inkbird power strip with a regular milk house heater and that automatically keeps the temps from dipping too far below 38°F. Some of my fellow club members use a grow tent or soft sided greenhouse to be able to keep the trees more temperature controlled when pulling their cars in and out of the garage. I use a shed so it's a bit more specifically used for just bonsai.

Also time to dive into the wonderful world of larches!

 

[Apex37]

Welcome to the frozen white North! I’m just outside of Detroit so on the other side of the state, but our weather will be similar, though I bet you’ll get a lot more lake affect snow, which is fantastic. And unheated garage will work for when your trees arrive, but depending on species, the more cold hardy species will probably do better outside if they’ve already experienced some sub freezing weather this fall.…less risk of waking up prematurely next year. @GreatLakesBrad lives out your way and can probably give you some tips. Good luck with the move!

Thank you so much! I've been following your posts for a bit since joining here in 2021 and it's funny that we have made similar moves. Looking forward to actually getting 4 seasons and having the lake less than an hour away. West side of Lake Michigan has beautiful beaches. The amount of trees in Michigan was an absolute delight to see compared to here in DFW area.

 

[Apex37]

Glad to hear things are turning around. Seems you’re making a reverse retirement destination It’s usually moving from a cold place to a warmer place

Species you’re talking about. Can’t really give much help without that info

Haha I know! We've been getting a lot of folks thinking we're crazy, but we're looking forward to the change. After 32 years in Texas, I'm ready for something new, especially if it means a reprieve from 30+ days of 100+ degree heat spells in summer.

I have Bald Cypress, JBP, JRP, Shimpaku Juniper, Live Oak, Yaupon Holly, Cedar Elm, and Sweetgum make up most of what I'm planning to bring up. Some might have to stay though, specifically the Cedar Elms, Live Oak, and Yaupon Holly. Not sure how well they'd do with those winters.

 

[Apex37]

Welcome to the upper Midwest! I'm across "The Lake" from you in Milwaukee.

An attached garage should help you replicate something closer to zone 7 or 8. I do recommend that you have a backup already in place for the polar vortex weeks that seem to pop up in the last decade. I use an inkbird power strip with a regular milk house heater and that automatically keeps the temps from dipping too far below 38°F. Some of my fellow club members use a grow tent or soft sided greenhouse to be able to keep the trees more temperature controlled when pulling their cars in and out of the garage. I use a shed so it's a bit more specifically used for just bonsai.

Also time to dive into the wonderful world of larches!

Hey - thanks so much! I appreciate the insight. Thankfully I'll have plenty of room whether that be in the garage or backyard. Going from a small corner lot 2 bed/1 bath 1100sqft home to a 4 bed/3 bath over 3100sqft home with a 3 car garage on 3 acres is quite the change for us.

I can't wait to experiment with natives! Spruces and larches have always been on my list.

 

[Dav4]

Haha I know! We've been getting a lot of folks thinking we're crazy, but we're looking forward to the change. After 32 years in Texas, I'm ready for something new, especially if it means a reprieve from 30+ days of 100+ degree heat spells in summer.

I have Bald Cypress, JBP, JRP, Shimpaku Juniper, Live Oak, Yaupon Holly, Cedar Elm, and Sweetgum make up most of what I'm planning to bring up. Some might have to stay though, specifically the Cedar Elms, Live Oak, and Yaupon Holly. Not sure how well they'd do with those winters.

You'll probably need to provide extra protection for or leave the holly (I have one that has done great since it moved north 4 years ago but is in my cold room from mid November until late March)), the live oak, and the Cedar elm.

 

[rockm]

Haha I know! We've been getting a lot of folks thinking we're crazy, but we're looking forward to the change. After 32 years in Texas, I'm ready for something new, especially if it means a reprieve from 30+ days of 100+ degree heat spells in summer.

I have Bald Cypress, JBP, JRP, Shimpaku Juniper, Live Oak, Yaupon Holly, Cedar Elm, and Sweetgum make up most of what I'm planning to bring up. Some might have to stay though, specifically the Cedar Elms, Live Oak, and Yaupon Holly. Not sure how well they'd do with those winters.

You’re likely right about the live oak and yaupon. I’m in zone 7 and have a few cedar elm (and a live oak) collected in Texas. I overwinter the CE in my back yard under mulch on the ground. Done that for 25 years now. They do fine. I’d bet the CE would be ok in a shelter like a garage with mulch. They’re not delicate. I overwinter my live oak (collected near Salado) in a cold greenhouse.

The yaupon might also be ok in a more sheltered but cold location like the garage with mulch.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Welcome to the Enchanted Mitten. I have family in GR but you sound more like Hastings, both wonderful places. I hope your winter driving is up to snuff. Everything is frozen up here we're having quite the pre-winter this year. I'll save you a beer-nog.

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

Welcome to West Michigan! Sounds like we'll be pretty close to being neighbors, I'm roughly the same proximity to you with regard to downtown GR.

I am the current but departing VP of our West Michigan Bonsai Society (toddlers = taking a step back from leadership role) - I just gave a presentation on Tuesday at the club meeting on winter storage, dormancy and fall deciduous pruning. We are extremely lucky to have our meetings at Frederik Meijer Gardens.

I'd be happy to connect if you have any questions on bonsai around this area and share what I know, from club activities to yamadori to climate overall. Feel free to reach out if you're on instagram ( @greatlakesbonsai ) or DM me here. We will have a holiday party for the club meeting in December and would encourage you to attend if you can make it work - we'll start back up in March.

While change is hard, I think you will find west Michigan full of kind people, quiet, yet with amenities nearby, and encourage you to explore the northern lower peninsula (and the UP is awesome as well!) - we have a gorgeous state and there is much to see and enjoy, including our towns, trees and landscapes.

A couple of favorite tree 'places' that are favorites of mine 'up north' - worth putting on your list for the coming years:
- Manistee national forest
- Ludington state park
- Sleeping bear dunes
- Hartwick pines
- Pictured rocks national lakeshore (world class, in the UP, google 'chapel rock' for some bonsai inspiration)
- Leelanau state park
- Honorable mention for centennial park in downtown Holland - several epic Dawn Redwoods
- Meijer Gardens

As @Dav4 referenced, you'll be experiencing plenty of lake effect snow, so for those species hardy to our zone it provides a nice insulating blanket for much of the winter.

There are always a few BonsaiNuts at our all state bonsai show at Meijer Gardens (takes place around mother's day weekend) - so bookmark that timeframe on your calendar, too!

All the best and welcome to the mitten.

 

[rockm]

Snow cover is a good thing and will help. The tree on the left here is a collected cedar elm. Snow cover provides excellent protection for cedar elm. The tree I. The left is a bald cypress

 

[Apex37]

Welcome to West Michigan! Sounds like we'll be pretty close to being neighbors, I'm roughly the same proximity to you with regard to downtown GR.

I am the current but departing VP of our West Michigan Bonsai Society (toddlers = taking a step back from leadership role) - I just gave a presentation on Tuesday at the club meeting on winter storage, dormancy and fall deciduous pruning. We are extremely lucky to have our meetings at Frederik Meijer Gardens.

I'd be happy to connect if you have any questions on bonsai around this area and share what I know, from club activities to yamadori to climate overall. Feel free to reach out if you're on instagram ( @greatlakesbonsai ) or DM me here. We will have a holiday party for the club meeting in December and would encourage you to attend if you can make it work - we'll start back up in March.

While change is hard, I think you will find west Michigan full of kind people, quiet, yet with amenities nearby, and encourage you to explore the northern lower peninsula (and the UP is awesome as well!) - we have a gorgeous state and there is much to see and enjoy, including our towns, trees and landscapes.

A couple of favorite tree 'places' that are favorites of mine 'up north' - worth putting on your list for the coming years:
- Manistee national forest
- Ludington state park
- Sleeping bear dunes
- Hartwick pines
- Pictured rocks national lakeshore (world class, in the UP, google 'chapel rock' for some bonsai inspiration)
- Leelanau state park
- Honorable mention for centennial park in downtown Holland - several epic Dawn Redwoods
- Meijer Gardens

As @Dav4 referenced, you'll be experiencing plenty of lake effect snow, so for those species hardy to our zone it provides a nice insulating blanket for much of the winter.

There are always a few BonsaiNuts at our all state bonsai show at Meijer Gardens (takes place around mother's day weekend) - so bookmark that timeframe on your calendar, too!

All the best and welcome to the mitten.

Hey - thanks so much!
We're beyond excited for this new adventure and the opportunity to enjoy everything Michigan has to offer.

During our time there we had the pleasure to see Rosy Mound Natural Area and Saugatuck Dunes State Park, which we're both beautiful. Sunset on the lakeshore was perhaps one of the few times I've ever felt truly at peace.

Frederik Meijer was something special. We barely scratched the surface of that place having only really the chance to see the indoor gardens and the Japanese gardens. Can't wait to go back and will ensure to allow more time to see everything!

Thanks for the suggestions on places to visit! Ironically my grandmother spent many of summers at her best friend's lake house up near Ludington State Park growing up. She's very fond of that area.

I'll make sure to shoot you a message and we can connect once we get up there and settled at the next club meeting.