Knowledgebase
Arizona Ash damaged in 2021 Winter Freeze #753090
Asked May 31, 2021, 2:52 PM EDT
Travis County Texas
Expert Response
Hi Layne,
It is taking a long time for some trees to recover from the freeze - and frankly, I am not sure that anyone knows exactly how long it will take. Nevertheless, sections that have not leafed out by now are most likely not going to do so.
I would not cut down the whole tree, since the roots are clearly intact and you seem to have strong growth near the bottom. However, you need to establish whether the tree section above the current growth is dead or alive. If you are able to get above the current growth, you may want to try and scratch back the bark to see if it is green underneath. You could also try cutting one of the smaller branches to see if it is dead (dry and brown) or showing signs of life (green and moist).
If the top section of the tree is dead, it should be removed or it will rot and become a danger-risk. You can always leave the lower section. It may take a couple of years to recover, but it would seem a better option than losing the whole tree.
Liz
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