Quick cold hardiness question

[VAFisher]

Full disclosure - I'm a rank beginner who got started in this wonderful hobby last year. I started with a ficus, a couple elms, and a trident maple. I live in zone 7a (central VA). I managed to kill the maple over the winter and I also have my doubts that the Elms made it through. They have yet to show any signs of life this spring so I'm guessing they are dead too. The ficus is still alive and pushing lots of new growth. Obviously, the ficus lived inside this winter and I thought I had done the right things with the Maple and the Elms by bringing them into an unheated, uninsulated room over my garage. I don't know if they got too dry in there (I thought I was watering enough) or if something else was the culprit. Maybe I brought them in too late or took them out too early and they were casualties of a freeze. Either way, I obviously did something wrong that I want to correct.

Last weekend I purchased 2 Japanese Maples at a local nursery and transplanted them into some grow boxes that I made because I wanted to get them into some better soil They are the Bloodgood and Coral Bark variety. All of that long winded backstory now leads up to my actual question about these 2 maples. We are supposed to be getting some cold weather again tonight and tomorrow with temps getting just below freezing. Do I need to worry about protecting these trees or will they be fine?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I was advised by a nursery I got my bonsai from...to keep my trees indoors until next winter...then they can go into an unheated building. Because they have not been exposed to colder temperatures. To let them go gradually into winter this year instead of throwing them in it now. They most likely were in green houses...so...I would venture on the safe side and bring them in. But...that is just me...from the information given to me by a bonsai nursery...I would treat yours the same.

 

[JudyB]

better safe than sorry, protect them for now. Especially as you repotted them, you need to keep the roots from freezing and cold temps. You should plan on moving them out on warm sunny days, and back in for cold nights if it gets into the 30's.

 

[GrimLore]

The other elms and maples "might" be ok just late trying to acclimate or slowed by frost. As Darlene and Judy said I would keep them in storage and expose to nice days until Winter FINALLY leaves us.

Grimmy

 

[fourteener]

As a general rule, I go to great lengths to keep repotted trees from freezing in the spring after the procedure, regardless of how cold hardy they are.

 

[Paradox]

I was advised by a nursery I got my bonsai from...to keep my trees indoors until next winter...then they can go into an unheated building. Because they have not been exposed to colder temperatures. To let them go gradually into winter this year instead of throwing them in it now. They most likely were in green houses...so...I would venture on the safe side and bring them in. But...that is just me...from the information given to me by a bonsai nursery...I would treat yours the same.

You were told to keep your trees inside until next winter??? Even during the summer???

 

[M. Frary]

That's what I got too but I think she means just this spring take them out when it gets nice then let them go naturally dormant this fall. I think.

 

[Cadillactaste]

You were told to keep your trees inside until next winter??? Even during the summer???

No...just during the cold temps. Sorry if I was not clear on that. They are to gradually acclimate themselves to our colder temps...being out in the great outdoors. But no harsh temps before spring and summer truly hit or it could shock them...they came from a warmer climate.

 

[VAFisher]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I will bring them into the garage for the next 2 nights. After that we should be out of the woods.

GrimLore, I hope you are right about the other trees. I'm holding out hope but I'm not overly optimistic.

 

[jkd2572]

If you scratch the bark on the trees you think are dead and see green then they are still alive.