I too have suffered damage from a early winter arctic freeze event where temperatures bottomed out at the low end of Zone 8 (10f) for about 3 nights in a row around the 20th of December. Followed by unprecedented amounts of snow (we missed the snowiest December ever - by about a 1/4 of a inch). The record was set in 1964. Compounding the problem is the fact I was away for 10 days during that time. On January 3rd I had 29 inches of snow in my yard! Needless to say, there was damage throughout my Garden. I had a Dunstan citrumelo and a Morton citrange that were100% buried in snow as was a couple of trifoliate oranges.. I had portable enclosures and large Christmas lights on day and night over much of my more tender citrus. Of my protected citrus I had leaf burn on one of my Juanita tangerines, Satsuma and a Meyer lemon. 2 other Meyer bushes, another Juanita, Nippon orangequat and a Changsha mandarin came through unharmed. I am not sure if the leaf kill is from the warmth of the lights or the lack of heat? This is the first time in 4 winters that I had any issues with leaves drying out or dying. A unprotected Nippon orangequat lost some of last summers growth but the branches are still green.

This is my front yard on December 8 2008

This is my front yard on January 3 2009!
I hope spring is around the corner !!!

Greg

Greg, all of that snow cover is a good thing! At least the trees that are covered in snow will hold at 32 F or so... We had 14 F here a week or so ago.. I told a friend, I dont know how much more of this global warming my citrus trees can survive! My grove seems to be fine.. I do have some leaf curl on navel oranges and hamlin oranges. Thanks for the report!

Greg, you are a pioneer citrus grower for many of the citrus varieties you have planted. My guess is that you are Stan's number one Canadian customer. Keep up the good work. - Millet

Millet, I think I am Stans ONLY Canadian customer!!! Most of my collection is bought from Stan McKenzie. (Keep in mind that Stan does NOT ship outside of the US - I get my plants shipped to a US address and import them myself)

Over the next few years I hope to determine which Varieties will grow best in my location / climate. This winters snow is a real anomaly. For anyone wishing to grow citrus outside (in ground) without a greenhouse in a Zone 8 climate zone AND where lack of prolonged summer heat is a issue. So far, the acidic varieties seem to be the most successful for me.My Lemons, Limes and Sudachi have produced the best fruit for me - so far. I currently have around 30 varieties.

As with all zone 8 growers, A little TLC through the winter is all that is needed to make growing citrus a reality. I typically have my Christmas lights on for about 15 nights and 7 to 10 daytimes per winter season.

There are other Citruholics on this forum from around the globe, who like me, enjoy growing citrus in areas where we have been told it cannot be done. The knowledge base here is second to none. The mainstream books cover areas like California and Florida not Germany the UK, the US South East and my little corner of Canada etc. Tom McClendons book Hardy Citrus For The South East - is a must have for anyone growing citrus outside of the citrus belt .

Thanks Laaz for putting this all together.

Greg

Hope you don't mind - I passed some time playing around with your photo! Here's my adjusted version

Mike

It reminds me the movie "blow up".
After you worked on the picture we discover a man with a showel. Work a little more on the picture... maybe he is burrying a body...

BC Canada is hosting the next winter olympic games. Looks like you are getting an early start on the snow.

Millet
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Nice pictures, you might have more snow than I do in new England

Frank

That was a nasty winter blast Greg as I'm also well aware here. Most overnight lows where within the typical range, except the night of Dec. 19 -08 (13°F / -10.6°C) and 18" of snow at the worst point. The length of cold was also well beyond normal with about 24 straight days in the grip of old man winter. All my citrus was safe as they're still in containers and moved to appropriate sites. This coming spring some of the larger ones will be plated out with an option to be covered in case of any future weather indignities. Thanks for your update and perhaps we'll compare notes in person again.

Cheers, Barrie.