Wyndyacre, I never thought of trying anti-dessicant spray. I usually wrap in burlap or else cover with an old box. That's good to know that it works well. Does anyone else use this product? I also heard that mulching the plants year round (or at least for the winter) helps prevent winter dessication. One theory is that by mulching the frost doesn't penetrate the ground so deeply, allowing the roots to thaw out quicker in spring and start taking up moisture. As long as the plant is taking up moisture, it can replenish moisture lost through the needles or branches by the sun and wind. Here it was a fairly typical winter with the usual cold spells. I have yet to do a 'tally' of what survived, but alot of plants look good. I was amazed at how well my sungold falsecypress survived, basically covered with newspaper and buried under snowcover. My Hick's yew, however, suffered winter damage but more because it warmed up so quickly in late March, and I kept it covered too long. I shouldn't have had the blanket touch the branches, at least not when it warmed up. Another theory of mine is that sometimes it's not the winter temperatures that determine how well plants survive, but the fall weather. A few years ago we had an unusually cold October. By the middle of the month the highs were only getting a bit above freezing. I don't think the plants had the proper warm days and cold nights to prepare for winter, because the next spring many conifers were damaged and especially plants in the 'prunus' family such as my purple leaf sandcherry and 'Rose' sour cherry. Glen

If you google, you will find dozens of sites with rather specific information, all providing more or less the same information. And if you understand the reasons behind some of these instructions you can determine that they are not frivolous suggestions but have some sound horticultural basis behind them. I hate to state anything in absolute terms - everything has a context that may require some modifications - but the following are factors that will encourage rapid establishment of your new tree and increase its long term survivability. Avoid amending the planting hole. Studies have shown that planting in your indigenous soil and backfilling with the same is preferred. Altering the soil in the planting hole can lead to soil interface issues affecting drainage. If your soil is heavy clay, plant high and mound up to the edge of the root ball with your own soil or an organic mulch. A wide and somewhat shallow planting hole is recommended. The width (and 2-3 times the diameter of the rootball is standard) encourages the outward spread of the root system. Many folks are of the impression that all tree roots go down deeply into the soil, therefore they need to dig a deep hole. While trees will put down deeper anchor roots, the bulk of the root system will eventually be located just under the soil surface. And since many containerized and B&B trees have minimal or congested root systems on planting, they need that freedom to expand. Digging too deep a planting hole often results in settling and your tree will become too deep, a sure-fire way to an early demise. IME, watering of newly planted trees and shrubs is very misunderstood. You want to water in well when first planted, priamrily to remove any air pockets in the planting hole, but also to equalize the moisture level of the rootball and the surrounding soil. Make sure the rootball is adequately moistened before planting - it is pretty hard to rewet a dry rootball once it's in the ground. And you will need to keep the planting area evenly moist (but not wet) for 6-8 weeks. Even in winter this may require periodic watering if your weather is dry. Mulching lightly over the rootball (but keep away from the trunk) will help conserve soil moisture and reduce weeds that may compete. I've seen more new trees die over winter because the owner assumed periodic rainfall was adequate. Regular deep watering is also required through the first couple of growing seasons as well. It is only after this period of time of establishment that the tree will be more or less self-sufficient water-wise, except for periods of extended drought. Avoid fertilizing when planting. The activity of planting and related disturbance stresses a plant and you want to avoid fertilizing a stressed plant. Supplemental fertilizer may be applied later at the beginning of the growing season or next fall when it is most efficiently metabolized, but only if soil tests first indicate fertilizer is necessary. Trees generally require very little in the way of supplemental fertilization. Here is a link that might be useful: basic tree planting instructions

Why don't I take my Mom out? She can hardly walk from the living room to the kitchen, a little stooped over. Her lungs have been smoked out over 52 years and are now riddled with emphysema and rheumatoid arthritis. I don't drive. Our weather of late hovers at -7 to -20 with the windchill. She is extremely frail and it takes door to door heated vehicle and a wheelchair to go to the doctors. If my Mom stood at the door in this weather for more than a moment her breathing seized up. I wish I could just pop her in a wheelchair and take her out but in this weather it's risky for pneumonia at the very least. Last summer I tried taking her out just for a walk around the garden or a ride in the wheelchair - it just about killed her in her state. (We still kept trying though). I think my Mom's overall health is actually picking up at my sisters. Mentally, she see's her grandsons everyday and they are thrilled to have her living with them. Physically she can breathe because there is no carpeting and of course 'hazmat control' for dirt/dust. She is getting more exercise and I noticed because her breathing has improved she is walking more around the house and walking steadier. After all is said and done - I'm settling down to a more peaceful home life. Mom is happy and doing well. That's all I want. Both of us happy. It's the silver lining in this whole clouded affair. As for SISTER - I can't fix her problems. She really needs a doctor and a long rest. She has careered herself over the top to executive level and has OCD at home - she'll never relax in life unless she takes the time to take care of herself and learn to breathe again. She has been like this ever since I can remember. We've been banging heads since we were VERY young children. I honest feel sorry for her. So, I'm picking my feet up, shaking out the cobwebs and reminding myself to start enjoying life's little pleasures again. My grow lights in the basement have a million seedlings popping their heads up now - I'm a very proud Mama! New gardening books to read. Taking the time to find old friends and making contact as a treat to myself. Have a part time job (seasonal) to work with an exterior landscaping firm to plant garden beds in the spring/change them in the fall/do xmas decorations for corporate businesses - out of that I have made a new friend who shares so many similar interests its almost scary....including having not long ago putting her aging mother in a care home (alzheimers). Day to day I'm striving to breathe, just breathe again. It feels good. LOL to all of you, Peggy

Not a true annual but can't survive winter in the ground where you are. Looks like C. argentea, hardy Z10+. You can try to save it as a house plant over winter, or buy again in the spring, or grow from seed as mentioned.