There is only a problem when it is very dry. This year has been nice and consistent for rain. This makes the upkeep almost nothing. Most of the trees I have are newly planted and some make it and some do not. I start looking at what I want to do with them once they are actually going to grow. All of the Javanese Red Pine were transplanted this year and there will be a few that do not make it. They will just sit in a group and if watering is needed, they all get it at once. The nice thing about pine is that it does not mind a little dryness. The White Pine are native to my area and they are really quite tough. Under stress they grow very thick and short needles, it makes them look pretty cool.

The biggest issue is keeping pots from over heating. Putting them in the ground, you get roots growing out the bottom and if you don't disturb them regular, they attack to the earth. Having the pots above ground, the sun heats up the plastic and bakes the roots. I have a couple Amur Maple that have grown out of their pots, I will do a picture documentation of me getting it out and cutting it back. This is one I have sort of let go to let it get better in the main trunk. Amur Maple is very tough.

Currently now after 8+ years doing this, I am in the black, all the cash I spent has come back and then some. People like trees, and they are easy to sell as a hobby. I grew mass Tamarack and sold them for $3 each one guy bought like 30 of them for a grouping bonsai they wanted to do. I did a couple bonsai myself with a couple of the Tamarack. Will post up some pics once I get a chance to do the pruning and this years wiring on them. Yeah spring is very busy for me.