How Long Before Declaring Death ?

[Nyboy]

How long do you give a plant in spring before removing ? 2 winters in a row have been brutal here, last spring I lost a lot of freshly planted trees and shrubs. Last fall I planted 6 red buds no sign of life, even though every tree in neighborhood is in full flower.A few Japanese maples I also planted, have no sign of leaves. I try looking for green under bark and always think I see some green ( wishful thinking). how long do you give a plant before removal ?

 

[baymule]

When the termites yell TIMBER!!!!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Generally a long long time, especially with those. Those may or may not be cultivars. That means they may or may not be grafted. In either case, those two tend to come back from the roots even if the top is dead. If you have a need to get something going in that pace, rip them out if they are not green under the bark. If you have something that needs weeding, busy yourself somewhere else for a while and see what happens.

Patience really isn't a four letter word. Count it up, there are eight letters.

 

[thistlebloom]

Japanese maples can be tricky to get through winter until they are established, but I would say if there's no green under the bark when you scratch with a thumbnail it's a goner.

The redbuds here are just blooming, and I think we had an earlier spring than you, so if they're still babies it might take them a little longer to wake up. But like Ridge said, if the roots are still alive they'll send up some shoots from the ground.

 

[Nyboy]

Patience grasshopper