Recovering from winter damage?

[Knutson]

I currently have two trees, a Chinese elm and a Japanese maple. Neither have leafed out yet this spring after going throughout a brutal winter (I'm in middle TN). I also moved here from southern Alabama this winter so they are experiencing a climate change as well. They set buds a month ago but the cold ruined that (should've protected them), they set buds again a couple weeks ago and seemed like they were going to leaf out, but they haven't yet and the temperature now is ranging from 45-80º. The buds do not look as viable as they did a week ago. Both receiving morning and early afternoon sun, but shade after about 3:30pm. Anything I can do to help them out?

Thanks!

 

[cmeg1]

Not sure.I have noticed that trees get stunted leaves when there is previous season root issues from drying to much,then they get watered and the roots then rot.I have a hornbeam in the ground that is slightly stunted from that.I had another one that did it last year,so I dug it up and threw it under the porch.I should of kept it in the ground because it completely opened buds with a bone dry root ball this next season.These trees had substantial trunks around a couple inches.I think they would be worth saving and see what the next growing season brings.

 

[Dav4]

I just came back from the monthly Atlanta Bonsai Society meeting this afternoon. It would seem that LOTS of folks down here are having issues with their deciduous trees either being slow in leafing out, leafing out sporadically, or not leafing out at all. The best thing to do is wait and see what the next month brings. Good luck.

 

[coh]

Same here, things are much later than usual. However...finally, most of my trees are showing signs of growth, except for the usual laggards (such as sweetgum). My cork bark elm is also one of the last this year...buds have started to swell but not showing any green yet. Landscape trees are also way behind schedule.

Chris