We sell large trees and hedges throughout the year but I have to face the fact that there are problems buying and selling in extreme weather like we have at present. There are obvious difficulties with transport butalso more subtle, long term problems with hardiness and survival of the more tender species. Last winter, which was tough for many people here in the UK, was even more extreme in parts of mainland Europe including countries where many of our plants are grown. How can we be sure that normally hardy plants which we buy and sell at this time of year will thrive. Basically I'm not sure we can and replacement of failed specimens appears to be the only answer.Last year parts of the Netherlands had more extreme weather than we had in the UK with temperatures falling much lower. One result was that some evergreens such as laurels, bought widely from Holland for hedging and screening, appeared fine when delivered in early spring but several of them dropped their leaves soon after and appeared completely dead. Customers buying these needed them replaced and we, and the nurseries who supplied them, were happy to arrange this. Of course we had to be satisfied the plant deaths were not the result of poor planting and aftercare. The landscapers who bought and planted these explained to their customers that they were bought in good faith and that it is not always possible to be sure from the appearance of plants bought after extreme weather that they are still thriving. Buying deciduous plants can also be difficult as trees and shrubs bought and planted in the winter may not show any obvious signs of death or distress until they fail to thrive in the spring.
Buying plants can be more difficult in extreme weather but what about looking after them and planting them. Advice usually depends of the kinds of plants bought. If you buy plants in containers such as pots or growing bags they are, providing they are hardy plants, able to survive for long periods out of the ground. Problems can be greater for evergreen plants as they need moisture throughout the year and protecting the roots from extended periods when their roots are frozen solid is very worthwhile. They need to be able to take up at least some moisture. Plants which are rootballed ( their roots are wrapped in hessian, or wire and hessian, which is put in the ground without unwrapping ) need to be placed away from drying winds but again these are usually capable of standing periods of extreme weather. Plants delivered barerooted need extra protection. If the ground is covered in snow or frozen so that they can't be planted on even a temporary basis, they may be better with their roots wrapped and stored out of direct wind.
Planting is never recommended when the ground is frozen or waterlogged. It's better to wait until conditions are less extreme before planting in the chosen place.
