Tree not getting leaves- HELP!

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JLEM Atascadero, CA May 10, 2009

We have had very strange weather this spring and it has not been kind to many of our plants. In early April we had a week in the 90's. All of the trees that had not already started getting leaves, began to get them during that week. Then we had a week of frost! All of the leaf buds on one of our trees died. We have been back in the 90's for a few weeks and the tree doesn't seem to be getting leaves all over like it should. There are a few little new springs coming out of the trunk, so we know it's not dead. Is there something we can do to help it? Would pruning of some kind help? Fertilizer? We don't know what kind of tree it is~ sorry.

Thanks for your help!

Post #6530222
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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) May 10, 2009

I know the cold spell you're talking about and I don't think it would have been cold enough to do permanent damage unless this is a tree that's really borderline hardy for your area. But if it did zap the leaf buds, I would give it time--it'll take some time to make new ones but chances are unless it was a tropical tree that's only borderline hardy in your area it should come back. I wouldn't prune it until you see which parts sprout new growth eventually, otherwise you could end up pruning off parts that are still alive.

Post #6530270
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JLEM Atascadero, CA May 10, 2009

That makes me feel better. The spot where we live get's 3-5 degrees colder than the rest of our area. My husband said that when he left for work(7am) it was around 30 degrees that week. It killed many of the veggies we planted, one of our grape vines, etc. It was just bad timing. Hopefully in time the tree will get better.

Thanks!

Post #6530377
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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) May 10, 2009

I had those same temperatures here, and my tropical hibiscus and plumerias that I'd just pulled out of the greenhouse survived, so I suspect some of your plants were probably just damaged and not killed. I'd be surprised if it killed your grapevine--they are pretty hardy. Might have zapped some new growth, but I expect it would come back. With the veggies if they were small seedlings then they could have been killed, but if they were larger then they might come back as well. I'd wait a bit before you give up on anything.

Post #6530381
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