Dealing with frost

[Craigg]

I have recently moved to an area that gets reasonably heavy frosts. I have absolutely no experience with frost and was wondering what preparations I should make for winter in terms of any structures or changes of locations for some of my trees. Is there any different treatment for trees in bonsai pots versus nursery stock that is being trained in large containers.

Thanks

[shibui]

What's your idea of 'reasonably heavy frosts'?
We get down to -5C most winters and occasionally a bit colder. In winter all my trees stay exactly where they are for summer. In other words, no need to take any precautions for most bonsai species here in Australia. the fact that they are in bonsai pots makes no difference.

The only exceptions are for frost tender species which, being a Northener, you may have. The only frost tender species I have are figs which live year round in an unheated poly house That provides enough protection in winter to keep the temps just above freezing.
Other growers take figs inside for the winter. They are reasonably happy on a rack over the bathtub provided there is a reasonable window to allow some light.

Not having any other frost tender species I can't advise what they might be.

[Craigg]

Thanks Neil. The winters here get down to about -5 to 18. My trees are maples, elms and conifers. So no real need to do anything out of the ordinary then.