Read those bonsai books and magazines that you just didn't get to during the growing season.

Make a list of the trees you will need to repot, then decide if there is any restyling that needs to be done. Check the books you have been reading and compare the styling in the pictures to your trees. Is there anything you can do to your trees to make them look like the pictures?

Check your supplies. Do you have enough soil, wire, drain hole mesh, fertilizers and pots to complete the transplanting you decided to do or will potentially decide to do? If not, get them on order or contact one of our great advertisers.

Clean the pots you will use and wire in the drain hole mesh. You would be surprised how much frustration this will save when you start repotting and need to give your full attention to the placement and style of the tree.

If you are going to make your own soil, this is a good month to gather up the components and start sifting and mixing your basic mix.

Check your trees at least weekly (later in the month - daily) for signs of budding, especially those that are stored in an unheated garage. Maples are generally the first to start budding; therefore, they should be watched closely. For spring flowering trees, you will need to examine them for bloom budding. When you see budding on any of your trees, you should be prepared to start the repotting or transplanting tasks.

This is the last month that dormant oils can be applied to the outdoor trees. If you had aphids or spider mite infestations last summer, you may want to apply the dormant oil to prevent them this year.

Also, check your indoor trees for pest problems and take action if needed.

Check the mulch on your buried trees to ensure your trees are still wet. If the weather is dry and above freezing, you probably should put some water on them. Also, if it is windy, make sure the mulch is still covering those tender roots. If the weather is dry and windy, your mulch will dry quickly, almost as fast as in the summer when the weather is hot.