Undaunted by the big chill.

• Position: Living

As frigid temperatures across the country dominate our thoughts and actions, it is likely that much attention has been given to the effect of the arctic weather on the plants on our property. Yet as you move from the shelter of your car to the welcome warmth of your home, consider the trees in the yard. They remain outdoors, all day and all night, exposed to below zero temperatures and the numbing blasts of ever-colder conditions that is our lot this year.

Note that the winter solstice arrived on Dec. 21, only 22 days ago and will be with us until the vernal equinox on March 20 -- 67 days away! We still must endure the full Wolf moon of January and the Snow moon of February before reaching the Worm moon of March.

Are you up to this visit by an old-fashioned New England winter? How about the plants that constitute your landscape, are they ready?

The good news, no, the great news is that the woody plants are apt to not only survive, but actually thrive, in spite of their exposure to this winter season. However, any statements made concerning living entities should be qualified by saying that the plants must be native species or cold zone 5 plants (-20 to Co10). Naturally, palm trees and banana plants are going to be cold-tender in any winter in our area. It is also possible (should that read 'likely') to disrupt a normally cold-hardy plant by incorrect culture such as untimely fall fertilization.

But with a proper plant selection and adequate care, most trees and shrubs are ready and able to take this winter in stride. Why? In the long term they have been preparing themselves for temperatures of 20 below for...