I recently got a atlas cedar on a road trip in northern california, I live in northern washington. I'm wondering if the climate change will shock it? I understand atlas cedars a tough, I have a couple but it's only roughly 8 degrees F different between here and there. Should I out it in a pot and cover it? I was also wondering if pollenating plants between here and there will affect it much?
Thanks

I am not sure what the weather it in Washington. But it is not a good idea to take a plant from non-frosty areas into frost. The plant is not prepared for the cold. It may take a year or two to get used to the new cycle. For now, make sure you place it in a spot which is well above-freezing.

Note that regional variation does exist in plants and you may be unlucky that your california specimen is less frost resistent than a variety growing in northern Washington.

Thanks for the help. I've been checking online the average temperature difference is about 8 degrees here sitting from about 38 at nights here to about 55 during the day, with california a bit above that. Do you think I should bring it inside or just wrap it up and keep it from freezing if the temps are suppose to get that low ?

until winter is over I would keep it indoors, say a shed where temps don't drop to freezing but with plenty of light (window?)

I was thinking about making a miniature green house for it off my back porch, maybe that will work?

was this tree outside before you recieved it?
if it was there is no problem atlas cedar are at least a zone 4 plant and can handle freezing without a problem.if you have snow burry the pot in it.it is the best way to overwinter trees .the snow keeps the roots at 32 degrees witch is not cold enough to freeze the liguid in the trees roots (the sugars in the sap lower the freezing temp of the liquid) keeping it out of the wind is a must.wind not tempurature is the winter killer

manofthetrees wrote: was this tree outside before you recieved it?
if it was there is no problem atlas cedar are at least a zone 4 plant and can handle freezing without a problem.if you have snow burry the pot in it.it is the best way to overwinter trees .the snow keeps the roots at 32 degrees witch is not cold enough to freeze the liguid in the trees roots (the sugars in the sap lower the freezing temp of the liquid) keeping it out of the wind is a must.wind not tempurature is the winter killer

Also frost-hardy trees need to adjust to cold temperatures. The internal fysiology changes as temperatures drop. If you take them from a non-frost area into deep cold winter they will die. Do NOT put a tree which you take from cool climate into cold climate winter, without a transition time. Just keep the tree frost-free until spring, unless the tree in northern California was in below freezing temps too.

Yes this tree was outside in the ground

in my opinion the temp differance is not that drastic its not like you are going from 50F to 20F . it should be fine just no wind