In a message dated 12/12/2003 11:51:14 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
Your tree may still have some green leaves now, but it will go dormant and it
can handle the cold. Hortus Second says it's hardy to New England (that's
cold) and Sunset says to their zone 3 (10-15 F, -13 to -15C) so 0 degrees C
shouldn't be a real problem. Put it in the garage and don't worry about it's
light requirements. It will go dormant, and should suffer no harm. Let the
leaves fall on their own.
Remember that Hortus is referring to in-ground specimens whose roots are not
exposed.

The fact that the Zelkova still has leaves is not a problem. My concern is
that the tree's root pad should not be exposed to freeze-thaw cycles. To avoid
root zone damage during the winter, either keep it is storage where the
temperature remains above freezing, or put the tree into cold storage (shed,
co-poly covered bench, etc.), cover the root pad with landscape fabric, and then
mulch over the pot/root pad up to the first branch. Monitor the water content
throughout the winter, and do not allow it to completely dry out. If the tree
is placed into cold storage, never water the root pad when it is frozen.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
http://hometown.aol.com/iasnob/index.html

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