Ever Green
Posted by Madeline on January 23, 2003
Q: I received a small maple tree in a pot this summer and have left it outside for the winter. Should I have brought it in or not?
A: You didn't say where you lived, but I will assume somewhere where you receive winter weather. Your maple tree needs to spend a dormant period just as all of the trees do living in climates where they have winter. So, keeping the tree outside provides this, however, since it is in a pot, the roots will get much colder than they would in the ground.
I would suggest that you place your tree in a sheltered area like an unheated garage or unheated basement and if it doesn't get much below 26F, it should be fine. A little freezing is OK but the roots shouldn't get too cold.
John Wiessinger ( January 23, 2003)