If only I could have a winter question that an answer would solve!
My largest trees and favorites because they are the evergreens, conifers, mostly yamidoris, do not spend their winter in a greenhouse. Both summer and winter they are kept under a large canopy with only a back side closed against hot setting sun and wint
er wind from the west- one of those big canopies sold for weddings and family reunions, etc,- very nice to provide bright light, but not hot direct sun. For years it has been the answer for me here in the big Willamette Valley of Oregon. In the winter
, now, the trees sit on the ground deep to first branches in mulch, some with delicate branches are under a work table and some under their benches or stands. The rain will supply dampness but does not overwater them. They have always done well - unti
l -

This morning the unexpected - snow! - not the usual few inches that disppears within a day, but a deep, heavy wet snow. It has broken branches from huge old Ponderosa Pines in the neighbor's yard, from the large, old, bearing fruit trues in my y
ard BUT the Bonsai part is sad - the snow stacked in deep piles in the canopy, weighing it down in deep stretched areas - freezing heaps. With help of even my two concerned Japanese neighbor friends no answer exists to prevent that heavy load from bre
aking through or suddenly bending the framing so it all tumbles on top of the trees. We added more bracing, hopefully, but doubtful.
We have carried a few trees out - but the danger is too much to wander under that large heavy load and I have forbidden any more help. We tried causing some meltdown to make the cavities of snow melt and drain - it is too freezing cold. We worked
at raking some snow off by standing on ladders - barely got through a rock-hard frozen surface and it was stressing the framing we decided.
The snow came unexpectedly during the night or it could possibly have been foreseen and prevented - but this would not be expected. The first to discover it was the neighbor who woke me concerned about branches from his huge, old Ponderosas falli
ng on my house and canopy, breaking as they froze.
Before good sense struck us we had moved 12 trees, some so heavy I could not have physically done so in another situation. Among those moved 2 maples I had to drag as they are still in large, heavy paper pots, ready for transfer to bonsai pots this
spring. As I came out with the 12th tree a sudden tear in the end of one roof section dropped a load of frozen snow that would have flattened anyone it hit , but by falling on the work table split and scattered without damaging trees. We realized the da
nger then and after hours of attempts with hot water and other methods to move the laden roof I called it quits and now nature will take charge. The forecast is for perhaps an inch of snow tonight, then light rain tomorrow.
My trees and I just may make it, There are still solutions being offered as people come to look, but so far none that don't represent danger or perhaps worse than just letting nature take its course. So far no evidence of the framing breaking or be
nding or more tears in the heavy canvas.
I doubt there is a good night's sleep coming -just wonder why we have had such weird weather summer and winter this year. Summer broke heat records, and now freezing snow in the valley while the mountains stack up the beautiful powder. Br-r!

Lynn

Lynn Boyd, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Zone 7-8

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Dear Lynn:

Lynn Body wrote:

If only I could have a winter question that an answer would solve!
My largest trees and favorites because they are the evergreens, conifers, mostly yamidoris, do not spend their winter in a greenhouse. Both summer and winter they are kept under a large canopy with only a back side closed against hot setting sun and win
ter wind from the west- one of those big canopies sold for weddings and family reunions, etc,- very nice to provide bright light, but not hot direct sun. For years it has been the answer for me here in the big Willamette Valley of Oregon. In the winte
r, now, the trees sit on the ground deep to first branches in mulch, some with delicate branches are under a work table and some under their benches or stands. The rain will supply dampness but does not overwater them. They have always done well - unt
il -

Mother Nature has a way of lulling us all into a sense of security, and
then without even a hint of a warning sends us reeling....


This morning the unexpected - snow! - not the usual few inches that disappears within a day, but a deep, heavy wet snow. It has broken branches from huge old Ponderosa Pines in the neighbor's yard, from the large, old, bearing fruit trues in my
yard BUT the Bonsai part is sad - the snow stacked in deep piles in the canopy, weighing it down in deep stretched areas - freezing heaps. With help of even my two concerned Japanese neighbor friends no answer exists to prevent that heavy load from b
reaking through or suddenly bending the framing so it all tumbles on top of the trees. We added more bracing, hopefully, but doubtful.
We have carried a few trees out - but the danger is too much to wander under that large heavy load and I have forbidden any more help. We tried causing some meltdown to make the cavities of snow melt and drain - it is too freezing cold. We worked
at raking some snow off by standing on ladders - barely got through a rock-hard frozen surface and it was stressing the framing we decided.
The snow came unexpectedly during the night or it could possibly have been foreseen and prevented - but this would not be expected. The first to discover it was the neighbor who woke me concerned about branches from his huge, old Ponderosas fall
ing on my house and canopy, breaking as they froze.

I am truly distressed at your predicament.... You have worked so hard
to bring your trees this far through the year only to see a single storm
threaten your pride and joys.

Before good sense struck us we had moved 12 trees, some so heavy I could not have physically done so in another situation. Among those moved 2 maples I had to drag as they are still in large, heavy paper pots, ready for transfer to bonsai pots this
spring. As I came out with the 12th tree a sudden tear in the end of one roof section dropped a load of frozen snow that would have flattened anyone it hit , but by falling on the work table split and scattered without damaging trees. We realized the d
anger then and after hours of attempts with hot water and other methods to move the laden roof I called it quits and now nature will take charge. The forecast is for perhaps an inch of snow tonight, then light rain tomorrow.
My trees and I just may make it, There are still solutions being offered as people come to look, but so far none that don't represent danger or perhaps worse than just letting nature take its course. So far no evidence of the framing breaking or b
ending or more tears in the heavy canvas.
I doubt there is a good night's sleep coming -just wonder why we have had such weird weather summer and winter this year. Summer broke heat records, and now freezing snow in the valley while the mountains stack up the beautiful powder. Br-r!

Please let us know what happens...... I, and I am sure other members of
the IBC will be waiting to know if your trees have survived Mother
Nature's fickle finger of fate.

Carl

Sitting here in Southern New Jersey contemplating a 50 degree New Year's
Eve. :-) Normally, it should be below freezing!

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++