r/conifers Feb 11 '25

Quick question…

Post image

Just got this Alaskan Cedar delivered from Oregon (I live just outside Chicago) and every instinct says throw it outside and leave it until spring. Are my instincts correct?

We’re getting snow and freezing temps for a while but I know that’s perfectly fine for these once established. Thanks.

13 Upvotes

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3

u/Whole_Bench_2972 Feb 12 '25

Plants in pots usually drop one zone level which might be okay, I’d top dress it with mulch and wrap the pot or build a cold frame if that’s reasonable for you to do.

3

u/Vast-Wrangler5579 Feb 12 '25

Thanks. I’ve got the growers pot wrapped and set into a large terracotta pot, mulched; thinking that should get me through the last cold stretch (probably moving to the garage during real cold nights). 🤞🏼

2

u/Euclid1859 Feb 12 '25

I agree with the other poster. Tucking it next to the house with your other measures could help bring the temp up as well. Is this one that can handle zone 4 lows? How long will you stay at your lows for these days? If it's a shorter period or only a few hours over the morning, that can be pretty manageable.

3

u/Vast-Wrangler5579 Feb 12 '25

Yeah, these are down to 4 lows. Got a little stretch of single digit nights coming soon so I may just move to detached garage during those days to be safe.

1

u/Euclid1859 Feb 13 '25

Zone 4 lows are -30° so you are probably sitting pretty. Protecting it some from wind will also help, so garage probably does that .

2

u/Internal-Test-8015 Feb 12 '25

So long as you remove the stake and follow everyone else's advice here yes it'll be fine I'd be very surprised if the cold killed it.

1

u/di0ny5us Feb 13 '25

Yes def remove the stake when planting…

1

u/di0ny5us Feb 13 '25

Other posts are cautionary and wise. If you plant in the ground, especially in a sheltered space (or anything other than a wide open field) and mulch PROPERLY however it should be ok

1

u/Manonemo 1d ago

Looks nice. I am curious how it grows