Coral Bark Maple Winter Kill: Scrape Test for Life

Coral Bark Maple No Leaves After -30°F: Check Cambium

Scrape bark on highest reachable branch. Green = alive. Brown = dead at that point. Work down.

• If no green anywhere: tree is dead. Remove.
• If green found: wait for leaf-out (may be delayed).
• Buds should have broken by now in PA.

Verdict

Likely dead after extreme cold. Coral bark maples are zone 5–6; -30°F exceeds hardiness.