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Maples
ademink

Rare maples and unseasonably warm temps. Dormancy concerns.

7 years ago

I have an Acer plat. ‘Rezek’ and ‘Lilliputian‘. Our temperatures have been in the 50s the last couple of days and are going to remain around this range. Nighttime temperatures are averaging the 30s.


I’m concerned they are going to bud (looks like they may be well on the way already) and then be killed when temps plummet. Would appreciate any advice or thoughts.







Featured Answer
  • 7 years ago

    They should be fine :-) Those temps are very typical for winter weather in my climate and maples of all kinds do just fine.

    And maples form their new growth buds in fall.....they are usually very apparent as soon as the leaves fall, so what you are seeing now is also perfectly normal.

    The risk occurs later in the season, when very mild temps force the plant out of dormancy and the buds begin to swell or even open. Sharply cold temperatures then can kill off the buds but if no permanent cold damage to the twigs and stems, they will rebud and releaf.

    Comments (14)

    • 7 years ago

      Thank you for educating me out of my paranoia! Lol I’m so relieved. I was ready to dig them up and stick them in the freezer. Lol

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    • 7 years ago

      I'm back again! We are going to -40 with windchills the next two days. Should I cover these small maples? EEK!

    • 7 years ago

      Trees don't feel wind chill. What are the actual temps going to be? My 'Inabe Shidare' has seen -17F without issue. It is about to see -23F.

      tj

      ademink thanked tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
    • 7 years ago

      Acer platanoides are also seriously more cold tolerant (-35F) than any Japanese maple!! Like tj's 'Inabe Shidare' :-)

      ademink thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
    • 7 years ago

      -10 F. Ok great to know - I"m in the clear. I wasn't sure if there would be major desiccation or anything like that. I'll stop worry warting. LOL

    • 6 years ago

      Hi...remember me? lol So...it's happening again. It has been in the 40s 50s and 60s for the last couple of weeks or so. I have bulbs and hostas emerging. Evening temps have been well above freezing. Day temps coming up: 60, 39, 50, 57, 38, 40....then we go to normal freezing temps. Night temps won't drop below freezing until Wednesday.


      Just ignore it and pray? LOL

    • 6 years ago

      ^^ That would be my suggestion :-)

      We are looking at almost exactly the same situation here. Temps in the low 40's to low 50's. Haven't even had a hard frost yet......I still have some annuals and tender perennials in bloom! Sunday nite, temps will dip into the 20's and then not get much above freezing, if at all, for the next week or so........our first Arctic blast of the season.

      All of my maples - Japanese or Asian maples typically less cold tolerant than any Norway and in containers to boot - will weather the storm just fine. I don't start worrying about container stock until temps approach the teens for several days/nights at a time. If your trees are planted in ground, I wouldn't even bother praying!! They will be fine :-)

      ademink thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
    • 6 years ago

      Ok...GO WITH GOD, RARE MAPLES. hahahaha Thanks for entertaining my annual neurosis!!


    • 6 years ago

      gardengal48...........what if my Cornus mas is looking like it's about to bloom?

    • 6 years ago

      Could very well be that it is!! In my area, these are often in bloom in February. If you have been experiencing a very mild winter so far, that may have triggered an earlier than is normal (for your area) bloom season.

    • 6 years ago

      Will that damage the leaf buds or will it just be confused?

    • 6 years ago

      It shouldn't. And plants are rarely confused :-) They just respond to environmental stimuli..........if the correct stimuli to prompt a specific response is not available, then no response. The confusion is usually ours as gardeners!

      ademink thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
    • 6 years ago

      LOL Clearly so!!! ;D Thanks again!


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