Dead or just its defense mechanism

The photo shows the trunk on one of my Paula's Pink plumies. It is planted outdoors and has managed to survive well during our mild winters. A week ago we had below freezings temps for a few hours and now I notice this ooze seeping out of branches and trunk. It this a defense mechanism or is my plumie beginning to die slowly. Some small branches are mushy so unquestionably dead but the trunk and the larger branches are quite firm. Has this happened to you? if yes, did plumies survive?

I have a number of PP plumies planted inground b/c I know the hybridizer has one planted inground and trunk is 4" thick. She also gardens in z9a. I have another large Paula plumie that is surrounded by philo selloum and that one was not damaged at all. Looks like philo provided adequate shelter.

That doesn't look good. Have you cut it back to see what the inside looks like? I've had some come back from the roots that looked worst than that.

Have not cut yet, waiting on last frost b4 doing any cutting but fully realize it may be too late by then. Dang I'm gonna b sad to lose them plumies

It was bad here too!!! Mine are in the g/h and seem to be OK this time. We go back down to 23 Thur. night I think.

Nery, in Dec 2009 my plumies froze to the ground even tho I wrapped them well. However, they came back from the root bigger than they were before. All is not lost, I think.

DEAD

I'm so sorry Nery!! Plumerias are my favorites and I may have 4 left from my entire collection. I'll be glad to send cuttings this fall if they make it!!!!

How nice of u to offer. I hv about a dozen more to make me forget my loss, lol, so I'm good.

This message was edited May 4, 2014 6:24 PM

Actually, it's amazing I didn't hv any more casualties from this winter. All my citrus• came back. Only lost plumies, 2 common red hibbies, and a prized oak which was not meant for z9.

Even my Chandler pomelo is back, yay!

I know I'm amazed at the things in my yard that have returned. My split leaf philodendrons didn't look like they were coming back but they are even making an appearance. My yellow burg may be the only outside casualty.

Now in my g/h it's a different story.

lol dead for sure lol Nery I can send you alot of fresh cuttings if you would like to do a trade . Dana