Root & Wire

Care calendar

A calendar species by species. Every line names its basis: an RHS page, a reference, practice, or an honest estimate.

This month: November

Timings for a temperate northern climate.

This month in full: November

Every species' jobs for November, grouped by job.

Wire (5)

For wiring: wire, a wire cutter.

Field mapleHawthornJapanese mapleLarchTrident maple

What to do
  • Field maple Remove any wire that is biting.
  • Hawthorn Prune and wire in detail now that the structure is visible, remembering that only young shoots bend.
  • Japanese maple Remove any wire that is starting to bite.
  • Larch After leaf fall the tree is bare and can be wired and pruned in detail; branches set over winter.
  • Trident maple Remove any wire that is starting to bite.

Prune and pinch (2)

For pruning: shears, a concave cutter.

HawthornLarch

What to do
  • Hawthorn Prune and wire in detail now that the structure is visible, remembering that only young shoots bend.
  • Larch After leaf fall the tree is bare and can be wired and pruned in detail; branches set over winter.

Protect (11)

For protection: fleece, a cold frame, a pot wrap.

BeechCarmona (Fukien tea)Chinese elmFicusField mapleHawthornJapanese mapleJuniperLarchScots pineTrident maple

What to do
  • Beech Water only when the soil is drying; make sure the pot drains, raised on feet.
  • Carmona (Fukien tea) Short days and dry heated air: the dangerous months begin.
  • Chinese elm Move the tree to a sheltered spot out of the wind.
  • Ficus Short days: the tree is ticking over, not growing.
  • Field maple Water only if the soil is drying, which in November it seldom is; make sure the pot drains, on feet and tilted a little if the rain is relentless.
  • Hawthorn Move an exposed tree to shelter before the first hard frosts.
  • Japanese maple Water only when the soil surface is dry, which in a wet November may be never; the danger now is waterlogging, so make sure the pot is tilted or raised so it drains.
  • Juniper If the tree is in a very exposed spot, move it to shelter before the first hard frosts; otherwise leave it in the open.
  • Larch Move an exposed tree to shelter before hard frosts.
  • Scots pine Move an exposed tree to a sheltered spot before the first hard frost.
  • Trident maple Water only when the soil is drying; in a wet month the risk is the opposite, so raise the pot on feet and tilt it a little so it drains.

Water (11)

For watering: a fine rose.

BeechCarmona (Fukien tea)Chinese elmFicusField mapleHawthornJapanese mapleJuniperLarchScots pineTrident maple

What to do
  • Beech Water only when the soil is drying; make sure the pot drains, raised on feet.
  • Carmona (Fukien tea) Water sparingly with room-temperature water, only when the surface is dry, and never let the pot stand in water.
  • Chinese elm Indoors, a cool bright sill and sparing water.
  • Ficus Water sparingly and only with water at room temperature.
  • Field maple Water only if the soil is drying, which in November it seldom is; make sure the pot drains, on feet and tilted a little if the rain is relentless.
  • Hawthorn Water sparingly.
  • Japanese maple Water only when the soil surface is dry, which in a wet November may be never; the danger now is waterlogging, so make sure the pot is tilted or raised so it drains.
  • Juniper Water only when the soil is dry a finger's depth down.
  • Larch Water sparingly.
  • Scots pine Water sparingly and only when dry.
  • Trident maple Water only when the soil is drying; in a wet month the risk is the opposite, so raise the pot on feet and tilt it a little so it drains.

Every row's basis, all species in one file: care-basis.csv.