Planting New Trees In The Winter.

Question

I am being sent about ten trees from the Arbor Day Foundation. They aren’t going to mail them until November. I’m in zone 6 and it is possible that there might be snow on the ground by the time they arrive. Would it be advisable to dig the holes now and deal with the snow as it comes, or to plan to put these small trees into pots and wait till Spring? Can I store them in a heated garage or would it be better to keep them outdoors in pots?

Answer 1

Because these will not be established, at all, I would recommend potting them up and storing them for the winter! As long as it remains cool, and you don't give them a whole lot of water, the should remain dormant.

If you have access to horticultural lighting, then you can use this to make the trees grow through the winter. This will allow you to plant them out, decently, established in late spring.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/growing-trees-in-containers.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/fluorescent-lighting-for-indoor-gardening.htm

This article will be for Holly care, indoors, but will be a good care guide for most trees indoors:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/indoor-holly-care.htm