if it is a deciduous tree.. then of course the new growth will not be frost hardy ...

but what can you do.. build a greenhouse around it ....

it is reacting to the severe stress.. and trying to store some more energy for next year... by setting some new leaves...

seems like a futile effort.. spending what energy it has.. to try to store more ... this late in the year ... doesnt it ...

water it deeply ... and keep it well watered for the rest of the fall .... mulch it well ...

if your ground does not freeze .. insure that it has remains moist all winter.. a good blanket of mulch would help that ...

otherwise.. keep your fingers crossed ....

ken

Ideas about what? The trees are doing what they have done for millions of years. They may die. They may not. Surely ensuring plants don't dry out is the takeaway message here.

Dan

In hurricane prone areas this happens all the time, the leaves get blown off/decimated, and just about when they start putting out new leaves it's time for the 1st frost. They all survive.

but bama.. you are talking about an otherwise healthy tree ...

but i am not sure we can come to that conclusion with a tree that was so drought stricken.. that it denuded itself ....

regardless ... as dan notes.. trees have been coping for millions of years ...

do you know how to water deeply .. so that you insure that there is water throughout its root zone????

ken

>The second tree is a rare Acer palmatum cultivar.
>It is in a container in the Charottesville, VA area.
>It could be brought indoors for the winter if necessary.

Which cultivar do you have? How large is it?

You do not want to bring it into the house, but if you have a very cold basement that might work, otherwise a garage. What is the coldest it gets there?

Jamie