NOT MY WORDS
This bit of cold weather advice from University Extension:
Bruce Beck, Agronomy Specialist
University of Missouri Extension
Phone (573) 686-8064
It’s hard to predict (the exact damage to crape myrtles at this time), but I suspect that marginally hardy plants like crepe myrtle and butterfly bush have taken a hard hit over the past week. I think they may show significant dieback and weak growth on shoots that have survived. Some may not produce any shoots until mid-May or even June.
Many landscape trees and shrubs are showing collapse of the new growth that had appeared during the warm spell in late March. Some species, like birch and serviceberry are already showing new shoots that will replace those that have been killed. This new growth appears to have tolerated temperatures in the low 20’s or high teens nicely, indicating that it was able to develop cold tolerance quickly.
Other species, including green ash, may not produce new shoots until May,from secondary or latent buds. I predict that not many trees and shrubs will be killed outright, but many will show damage from this event (which will come to be called the “Easter Freeze of ’07”) for years to come. We should know more after a few days with above freezing temperature.
Keep in mind that we had the third warmest March in recorded history,followed by record smashing lows in the first week of April. This event is unprecedented.
I would encourage homeowners to wait for a month or so before removing any plants that appear to be dead. Nicking the bark of stems to check for live green bark is always a good idea before removing a plant.
