My tree has been inside the entire winter, although I keep it outside throughout the spring and summer. I was told that it is too cold in Wisconsin to let the tree stay outside during the winter - especially since I purchased the tree from a seller in California. I am quite certain it is dormant because it hasn't been putting out any new growth and it was shedding leaves like crazy earlier last month. I checked and the limbs must be still alive because there was green under the bark. Hope this information helps, Joe

Dear Bonsaimark; I am far from being an expert but I have been messing with bonsai for 20 years and I have around 30 trees now. I offer the following ideas: In your note I think you stated that you repotted and trimmed roots. You did not mention if you trimmed foliage as well, but that is always part of the process when repotting and trimming roots. One is supposed to trim a proportionate amount of foliage to complement root trimming. If you have not trimmed foliage since trimming roots, you may want to do some. If you forget to trim foliage too after trimming roots, the foliage will die back in proportion to the root trimming done. I think sometimes the tree can die completely from this too. You probably know this already, but I figured I could mention it just in case. I have 3 Chinese elms and they like full sun. I keep them outside most of the year here in Connecticut USA (approx. 8-9 months) and put them in an unheated garage, during the coldest part of Winter. They are out there now - still sleeping with my other trees; waiting for Spring. During the growing season, the elms get almost a full day in full sun and they seem OK with it. Your tree being accustomed to indoor life at this time, should not be put outside without gradual acclimatization. To keep it inside for now, it maybe needs more sun and/or less water. With our days still fairly short now, I'm hoping more sun would likely help make your tree happier. The lengthening days are making me happier. I hope my trees all make it through the winter. We had a week or two with temperatures down to -20 on some nights. That ain't so good even in the shelter of the garage. I hope my note helps you. Good luck.

Bonita: I see your question was from January but had a couple of thoughts even if they are a bit late. Or did you plant something already? First we have ordered TONS of plants and trees from Forest Farm (link below) and you just cannot go wrong. Everything always arrives in a very timely fashion and well packaged. I have ordered a couple of plants from Gurneys and it has always been a nightmare. I'll never do it again. If you want lush plants that are the size described order from Forest Farm. They also have an unbelievable selection. On that note, we ordered six Thuja Green Giant trees from Forest Farm this year for the purpose of creating a privacy screen in the back yard. Although I thought they perhaps could have been a bit lusher they were nice trees, about five feet tall and very healthy. I would recommend these trees for being reasonably fast growing. In my experience with the five I have from a few years ago they don't grow three feet in a year like the hype says but they are lovely, tough little trees that make a hedge. And they don't really require pruning and trimming to look nice. Hope this helps. Kate Here is a link that might be useful: Forest Farm

I got my bonsai tree about a month ago, June 29th, and I put it in my windowsill (north facing). It was doing great, I had been rotating it every day so both sides would get sun and a break from sun, but some of the leaves, on the side that touched the window a bit, were getting sunburned. Out of concern, I moved it from the windowsill to a bookshelf next to, not infront of, the window. I've watered everyday (which I'm guessing is overwatering for this spot) and the leaves have been turning yellowish brown and falling off with touch. I have since removed all the leaves so the tree wouldn't be giving nutrition to dead leaves. Should I move my tree back to it place on the windowsill? Any advice? Please help!