Can we talk about wisteria for a minute? I mean, a vine in full bloom is like something straight out of a fairy tale.The long, vibrant clusters of blossoms and t
06.06.2023 - 18:40 / gardenerspath.com / Kristine Lofgren
How to Deal with Japanese Maple Winter DiebackWinter can be hard on all of us.
Sure, the snow can be beautiful and there’s a certain magic to the dormant season, but sometimes those heavy snows and hard freezes can do a number on our gardens.
For Japanese maples in particular, adverse weather conditions can cause some significant dieback and other damage.
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If you’ve ever dealt with dieback before, you know that it can be mystifying. Why were your trees fine one winter, and decimated in another?
In this guide, we’re going to discuss what causes this common problem and what you can do about it. Here’s everything we’ll cover up ahead:
Strap on those mittens and put on your warmest coat, because we’re heading into the freeze.
What Causes Winter Damage in Japanese Maples?It’s not the cold that causes the most damage to Japanese maples. It’s freezing followed by thawing that happens over and over again throughout the cold months.
As the cells inside the plant freeze, thaw, and refreeze, it reduces the tree’s ability to naturally withstand cold weather.
Think of this as something along the lines of the antifreeze in a car, if it were gradually draining out.
At some point, there isn’t enough “antifreeze” to keep things protected in your plants either, and that leads to problems.
This causes damage and sometimes death to stems and branches. It can also damage or kill the developing leaf buds.
Winter damage may also be caused by extreme wind, heavy snow, or freezing and thawing soil, in addition to repeated fluctuations in the air temperature. And it can be caused by dehydration as well.
While we might not typically think about
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