I have two Arbutus trees in pots in my back yard. They have grown alot this summer (about 3ft tall) and are very healthy. I have already lost two Arbutus trees to severe frost (winter of 2008). Can anyone suggest how to keep my trees through this winter?
Plunge into sand or wood chips. Or put insulation material on pot walls. If the predicted "vicious" winter - worst in over 50 years - comes to pass it may take heroic efforts to bring these through. 2008 was not that big of a deal. Were the two that failed then 'Marina'? It is not as hardy as strawberry tree, and, of course the native species.
I'm pretty sure the ones I have are the native species (I got them from UBC plant sale). How about I bury the pots in deep soil and cover with wood chips? Last year, which was mild, I hung Christmas tree lights around the trunk and leaves to create 'warm' micro-climates. Do you think this is useful or just a quaint misgiving?
Do not plunge pots into soil, especially with a drainage sensitive plant like a madrona, unless the soil is very sandy.
