Before you put your trees away for the winter, take pictures of them using a neutral background. Then compare them with the pictures you took in August. After you have compared the two pictures, make notes of what you think needs to be done next spring. Remember though that pictures are two dimensional and you are working on a three dimensional subject. It is sometimes difficult to envision branches because of the two dimensional aspect of the pictures.

Don't rush putting your deciduous and evergreen trees away. Make sure they have been exposed to a couple of good frosts to ensure that they have gone into dormancy.

When putting your trees away for the winter:

• Water them thoroughly. Although the trees have started their dormant period, they still need SOME water.
• Clean up any debris on the soil surface before putting them away.
• Check the underside of the pot to ensure there are no insects/spiders lodged there.
• Spray the trunk and branches with water to wash away insects, etc.
• Apply a systemic and/or dormant oil spray.
• Examine each tree as you put it away and note what needs to be done next spring - i.e. wiring, transplanting, etc.