I did not research cold hardiness before acquiring this beauty. It's a Deodar Cedar, typically rated zone 7 from recent research while I'm in zone 6. Against the house I've had zone 7 plants live especially lately with our recent mild winters. My plan was to put this by the front door so I could enjoy seeing this beauty all winter but it's on a wood desk elevated about 5 feet off the ground. I'm OK with it not being a true bonsai, meaning I'm willing to put it in a bigger (less aesthetic?) pot. I just want to keep it alive and not have to hide it away in winter preferably. It's in a very thin plastic pot about 10" x 5" and the tree is about 2 ft. I was thinking I could keep it in that pot and slide it into a bigger one insulated with mulch all around it. I'd appreciate any advice.
Also curious if someone could recommend a similar beautiful tree like this that would do better in my zone in case I can't keep this one alive/happy. I'm not sure how to share an image. Hopefully this shows it: i.ibb.co/rvtkKDR/IMG-20240712-130332.jpg







 

Bonbonlight wrote: I did not research cold hardiness before acquiring this beauty. It's a Deodar Cedar, typically rated zone 7 from recent research while I'm in zone 6. Against the house I've had zone 7 plants live especially lately with our recent mild winters. My plan was to put this by the front door so I could enjoy seeing this beauty all winter but it's on a wood desk elevated about 5 feet off the ground. I'm OK with it not being a true bonsai, meaning I'm willing to put it in a bigger (less aesthetic?) pot. I just want to keep it alive and not have to hide it away in winter preferably. It's in a very thin plastic pot about 10" x 5" and the tree is about 2 ft. I was thinking I could keep it in that pot and slide it into a bigger one insulated with mulch all around it. I'd appreciate any advice.
Also curious if someone could recommend a similar beautiful tree like this that would do better in my zone in case I can't keep this one alive/happy. I'm not sure how to share an image. Hopefully this shows it:

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Your idea of sliding the existing 10" x 5" plastic pot into a larger, insulated container is a great approach. Choose a pot that is at least 2-3 inches wider and deeper than the current one, and fill the space between the two pots with a dense insulating material like perlite, vermiculite, or even shredded bark. This will help protect the roots from extreme cold temperatures.

This species is hardy, and I think you are trying to overthink is you put the plant on the ground, and if it gets cold, -5 to -10 then you could put it a shed or garage for a few days, but mine never move and they are fine.

 Geoff....You are not in zone 6, I am sure.
Most likelly zone 8 or 9, possibly 7.


All my trees that have lower usda zone classification than my area is kept frost protected in the winter. An unheated shed for a fortnight with temperatures below -10 day and night will not help. I have lost a few trees neglecting the hardiness zone classifications. Do not attempt to do it.

One other option is if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow is to bury the pot in the ground and keep the tree covered in snow all winter. Snow is an excellent insulator. I do not get a lot of snow so I have no first hand experience. It may be a bigger risk, but still better than unheated shed.

If you want a more appropriate species that is similar to this one, get a chinese juniper.

I am not sure which one it is possibly 8 we had a mild winter last,

My advice is find a local club or practioner and find out what trees survive and how. 

I potted it up and it's been fine except it got a bit too dry and started losing a few needles. I tend to overwater so I've restrained myself knowing it doesn't like that but we're in a bonafide drought right now and I didn't compensate. Thanks for the alternative suggestion but in my opinion Juniper is not as beautiful as Himalayan cedar. Sigh!!!