Deodar--spring frost/freeze sensitivity

15 years ago

I just got my shipment from Forest Farm. Included are two deodar cedars. One, 6' feet tall, has its buds already green, but not looking like they will break open very soon. The other, ABOUT 30" tall, looks completely dormant.

This is a problem when I get trees from Oregon. I thought by having them shipped in mid-March, I would get them still dormant. Well, in one case, not so.

Anyway, we can still get a hard freeze here, so if I plant the larger deodar out now, can it be killed? It is too large for me to protect easily.

And if the buds progress so they are more fully open and shoot growth has begun by mid-April, will a moderate frost kill them?

With some trees, such as larch, I know they can withstand some moderately freezing temps--down to 20 degrees f--if they have leafed out only with their "spur" leaves. The growth of larch shoots are more tender.

So are deodars relatively sensitive to freezes and/or spring frosts? I am not sure it is a good idea to hold the larger deodar for 6 weeks after it has been shipped and shaken up so much in its pot.

Information/advice please.

--Spruce

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Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
time to leave the vehicle in the driveway .. and give it a spot of prominence in the garage ...

i would place it so that they get the most available light.. without getting any direct sunshine ...

and i would open the door every morning.. and close it at dusk ...

and i would not plant them until all danger is gone.. even if that meant missing the perfect planting time ...

extra TLC after planting if it gets real late ...

mail order is tough.. if you risk late delivery.. they sell out.. first come first served... so you have to order early to get what you want ...

in cool weather... do NOT overwater the pot .... insert finger.. and if damp... do not water again until plating ... make sure it is damp through out the root ball ... but never sodden ...

and never let that black pot get into the sun ... they will only bud faster ...

ken
gardener365
15 years ago
32 degrees Spruce is the # where you'll need protection. I really don't think it matters all that much what it is.

with hoophouses on all days where the temp is 40 or above the doors should be opened or the sides rolled up if applicable. at 32 degrees the doors are shut.

hope that helps. I think if I were you I'd keep it outdoors and at night if the temps should drop, drag it into your garage and if real cold drop a sheet over it while in the garage. just keep it back and forth to the garage until you're ready.

best i can think of. the other two i'd watch like a hawk, too. especially if you plant them.

I have 800 dollars worth of plant material arriving all pretty much within the next week. I'm using my un-heated hoophouse but it's the same type of concept. i also have a lot of large-bareroot on the way that I'm planting right away. if they break bud, i'm screwed man. but it's going to take several nights or a week of temps in the 20's or lower to do any significant damage. It's when the buds have completely broken, and it's early, that a person needs be on the watch and covering them and on and on, when they're in the ground.

dax
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
i wouldnt bet the farm on frost only occuring at 32 degrees ... or below ...

pulling them out for the day ... is OK.. if you insure no black pot in sun ... but they will start growing faster.. earlier ....

keep in mind.. that moving them to your cooler zone... can put them into some semblance of suspended animation ... budding will stop/slow .. if they remain cool .. cold ...

so its just the frost/freeze issue ...

but putting them in the sun ... will allow them to be active in warm temps...

my cement garage floor stays cold on warm days... sort of like a refrigeration unit ...

ken
gardener365
15 years ago
That combined information outta get you somewhere.

Take care,

Dax
livingfossil
15 years ago
If Forest Farm is located in Zone 9 (maybe 8?), I would guess they are way ahead of Zone 6 when it comes to plants breaking dormancy.

I didn't know that conifer buds were at risk for frost. I thought that they would have been as cold hardy as the whole plant is. Thanks for the info. I guess I need to consider that when buying conifers.
spruceman
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks:

I will keep them in the shade, and as cool as possible. The big one I am afraid to move in and out of the garage--shaking it up more. It is a little awkward to lift and move, especially with the big heavy stake it came with. But the garage is cool, and has four windwos to let in some light. The small one I will keep in the shade, and move it out at night as long as it is dormant and we don't have a hard freeze.

--Spruce

Deodar--spring frost/freeze sensitivity

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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Deodar--spring frost/freeze sensitivity

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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