Magnolia Looks Dead After Spring Snow: Wait and Water

Can a 3-Year-Old Magnolia Recover from Freeze Damage?

An Atlanta magnolia flowered three times last year but after a spring snow, all leaves are brown and crispy except a few at the base. The owner asks whether to strip leaves or cut it down.

Advice

• Do not prune or strip leaves yet. Hardwoods can push new buds after freeze damage.
• Scrape bark on upper branches: green = alive (wait); brown = dead at that point (prune later).
• Water 1 inch weekly for a couple of months.
• Let dead leaves fall naturally.

Top dieback may occur; remove only confirmed dead wood after a month.