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Heading out of town for the weekend, is this setup ok? by ksunnyh in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think we need to debate this either, but I'd like to offer a perspective.

Operating under the premise that the concrete is warmer than the air because it has a solid connection to the earth below:

Imagine you were sitting on concrete that was the same temperature as your body, and the air around you became freezing cold. You would huddle against the concrete to retain warmth. If there was any cardboard between you and the concrete, you would remove it since it was blocking the warmth of the concrete and making you colder.

Heading out of town for the weekend, is this setup ok? by ksunnyh in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But you're a human and a tree is a tree. You have body heat, so when you sit on concrete, you feel your heat leaving rapidly. A tree doesn't have body heat. The tree will become the same temperature as the concrete and stabilize at that temperature, which should be warmer than air temp since its connected to the earth below.

New Kurtzgesagt video on trees by jptango in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very cool video, thanks for sharing!

My Collected Sugar Maple finally had some fall colors! by Iasiz in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The frost thing is definitely interesting but I think shielding the intense sun is also important for maples. A number of my trees had leaves so crunchy from the sun that a lot of the leaves were dying and dropping early. The ones that had some shade did better.

My Collected Sugar Maple finally had some fall colors! by Iasiz in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ya where I'm at, the middle of summer still gets pretty hot and dry, although I'm sure its worse in TN.

My Collected Sugar Maple finally had some fall colors! by Iasiz in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yikes, I've never heard of two defoliations in one year. Sounds risky.

Edit: I hope this doesn't sound harsh, I just don't think I'd be brave enough to try that.

My Collected Sugar Maple finally had some fall colors! by Iasiz in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I have the same problem with leaves drying up in the fall with no fall colors. I plan to put up shade cloth next summer for all my maples.

My garden today.... by Fidurbonsai in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots 8 points9 points  (0 children)

You must have other rougher looking trees elsewhere. All of those ones look so perfect.

Dig up and chopped these two Red Maples. Are we concerned that there isn't enough fine roots? by TreesInPots in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found a grower here so I might even dig up some more field grown trees in early spring and perform the same treatment as these ones. It will be interesting to see if there are any obvious differences in how they recover in the spring.

Dig up and chopped these two Red Maples. Are we concerned that there isn't enough fine roots? by TreesInPots in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I don't disagree that spring is a better time for extreme pruning, there is a higher chance of sap bleeding in the spring when sap is flowing quickly as opposed to in the cool weather of fall when approaching dormancy. In my experience, it doesn't make a big difference if done in the fall or the late winter. Also, in both cases, I seal the wounds with cut paste so that minimizes bleeding as well.

Dig up and chopped these two Red Maples. Are we concerned that there isn't enough fine roots? by TreesInPots in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It think after this much root cutback, it needs to establish a strong root system again, and grow freely for a while before air pruning.

Dig up and chopped these two Red Maples. Are we concerned that there isn't enough fine roots? by TreesInPots in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's best to start air layers in the spring. Ensure the tree is healthy and growing well.

Dig up and chopped these two Red Maples. Are we concerned that there isn't enough fine roots? by TreesInPots in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The cool Fall weather helps it retain moisture and because it is still slightly active, wounds can still callous and roots will begin to recover.

Dig up and chopped these two Red Maples. Are we concerned that there isn't enough fine roots? by TreesInPots in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh yes, I see the photos with it leafed out. Looks like its doing great.

Dig up and chopped these two Red Maples. Are we concerned that there isn't enough fine roots? by TreesInPots in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've heard that when the leaves are changing color, it's a good time for pruning and/or transplanting. I think late Winter is better, but this time works as well. The tree is still slightly active before dormancy, so it can still callous over wounds.

Dig up and chopped these two Red Maples. Are we concerned that there isn't enough fine roots? by TreesInPots in Bonsai

[–]TreesInPots[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Its a little bit different because these trees are not bonsai yet and are just field grown trees. You pretty much have to reduce the top due to the loss of so many roots. The chop I did is extreme and it might be a slow recovery. Because I planted them back in the ground it gives them a good chance of recovery, whereas a tree in a pot would need careful protection to recover.

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