Is this Ulmus parvifolia or do you mean a Zelkova which is a Japanese Elm?

IF you failed to water over the winter, this may be a good opportunity to reflect on expected outcomes. That is: sounds like winter kill from here, having only the amount of information given, regardless if Ulmus p. or Zelkova s..

Dan

I've got a chinese elm.

They have very small buds and you may not even see them until just before thev leaves burst.

It's like one day, the leaves are bare, next day, they have leaves.

They bud early in the season, just after crape mytles.

There are still several species of trees that have not put on new leaves in San Antonio--and we're a bit earlier than Nevada.

I would water it..Now.

I have a chinese elm bonsai and its beem outside in its pot all winter, and its been pretty low here. It never dropped its leaves though, and I was worried because U.parvifolia have rubbery roots which can be frost tender.

If it was planted in June last summer, my guess is that the tree has not grown enough roots to compensate for the loss of water during the summer months. It may have used all it's stored sugars to survive the summer. I hope it was watered well, through to late fall. Start watering now, and cross your fingers. You may want to consider some pruning to reduce evaporation once the leaves do come out in full.

There are many many many varieties of chinese elms. The 'Drake' elm is reportedly semi-evergreen or evergreen in some climates. OThers go totally leafless.

So don't worry. They have small buds, are very tough and if your tree was going to die, it more than likely would die gradually.

My tree IS budding!!!! You guys were right....just be patient! Funny thing is...I saw the first green buds yesterday which was St. Patrick's Day! Guess my tree was waiting to dress up for the holiday. Thanks to you all for your comments and advice. Just to let you know, I did water it during the winter and I fertilized it two weeks ago, then gave it a deep watering a few days ago. All is good now and thanks for your help! To answer your question, Greenlrry, my tree is an Ulmus parvifolia and it will be beautiful again this summer! :-)

Why would you fertilize a dormant tree?
OR a newly planted tree?
Or a Chinese Elm, period? Those are the most adaptable, fastest growing, downright weedy trees. Save your money and your tree.