There are many, many nights here, and even days that get below -10C. Another contributor also mentioned damage by vermin. We have a lot of those guys-- mice, voles, moles, shrews, squirrels. I am VERY hesitant to put my precious bonsai outside. I don't have a shed that allows any light in. When you say it won't be a juniper for long, are you saying it will die if I leave it inside? I could put it on my front porch, but I don't know if it would get adequate light.  I'm really confused and concerned. This little plant means a ton to me. It was given with love.  Any advise is most appreciated. 

Hi Ivan, many, many thanks for the reply. I will definitely try to track the Bonsai place in SD. Unfortunately, that's a five hour drive from here, but yes, similar climate. I very much want to keep this little guy alive and thriving-- he/it was given in love by my son. I don't have a place outside other than my front porch where the many varieties of small mammals wouldn't get at it. And if I put it there, I worry about it not getting adequate sunlight, especially in winter...no direct sunlight to speak of, only diffuse. So, to be clear...it will die if I leave it in my east window inside? It doesn't seem unhappy except I'm getting some dead needles close to the branches/trunk, but not many. Mostly, it's fluffy and putting on new growth. Maybe that's the problem? I would be willing to pay for your time if you were willing to FaceTime to help me problem-solve my conundrum. I'll be away from my computer for the next few days, but will check my messages here over the weekend. In the meantime, I've put it in a north-facing room that is unheated. Sometimes the wind can really kick up, and it might get knocked over if I leave it on the front porch.

I do appreciate your response, Topfrog, but it seems like you are talking to your peers, not to the desperate beginner. So, I cannot use your advice because we are not speaking the same language. Perhaps there should be a beginner and an advanced forum? As I said, I'm planning on taking your courses, but in the meantime, I don't want to kill this little guy.

As Ivan said it will die if kept inside. Put it out anywhere, animals will not bother it much with the needles, and it needs cold. It will get far more light in a porch than anywhere inside. Sun in the winter is not that important.

North facing is even worse, no light at all

Yea, dividing 10 posts per week into two different categories may help this unavoidable forum death, I do not think so. Besides, there are never any advanced topics discussed in this forum. It is just questions from nervous beginners like yourself and we adapt the message accordingly. Excuce If I failed.

Let me simplyfy things. Please let me know If it is still too advanced for you and I will simplify further.

The species is called juniperus chinensis "procumbens nana"

The procumbens is a very vigorous easy to grow tree.

The procumbens is a very work, skills and knowledge demanding tree to develop. So time consuming that many experienced bonsai keepers stay away from them. It is simply not worth the effort.

Procumbens should be grown outdoors in full sun in summer.

In winter, in the coldest places it may need some protection. An unheated greenhouse or garden shed is good places. If you get a lot of snow, placing the tree on the ground and cover with snow is the best protection.

Indoors in livingroom conditions your tree will die and there are no way around that. It is a 100% certain outcome. Animals chewing on a small tree with needle sharp foliage is a lot lower risk. My procumbens has been outdoors for 6 years now without any animals chewing on them. We have dear, rabbits, hares, moses, rats and mice in the forest next to my garden.

Focus on what is important, right care and environment. Procumbens are hardy junipers from cold temperate areas. They need cold winters to live.

The group in SD probably has a website or Facebook page and probably would help get a response. I would not drive five hours. 

Different people have different experiences. Bill Valvanis in New York lost a lot of trees to mice eating the bark. He keeps his trees in a garage type building heated up to 27F/-3C and that is a very attractive environment to mice in New York, compared with below 0F/below 16C. I don't know if mice or others would be attracted to juniper.

Good luck.

Hi Ivan. Many thanks for your continuing advice! I will definitely look up the SD Bonsai FB page. I responded to TropFrog with an idea to keep the vermin at bay.  What do you think?

Bill was talking about getting a cat for the bonsai shed. There are so many problems with that.

My major problem is squirrels knocking the trees off the stands, but that hasn't happened much lately. 

I would say try as many things go as you can, hoping something will work. If the tree isn't too large you could make a wire cage, or get a bird cage.

Just rest asure that your sons love for you will not end if the tree dies.

Do what is right for the tree and it will be fine. Indoors keeping is a certain death. Lack of light in winter when the tree is dormant is not a problem. Junipers do not die from low temperatures in winter. The forests is full of trees and animals, still the animals do not kill all the trees. Most animals prefere the forests as their habitat before your patio.

I liked the bird cage suggestion. Not that I think it is necessary for the tree. But it may be a good way to give peace to a nervous sole. If it is what it takes for you to leave the tree outdoors, then it is your solution to the problem.

Remember that a tree under a roof will not get any rain. It may need some watering in winter.