Hardwood Tree Recovery After Late Spring Freeze

Situation

Warm spell → full leaf-out. Then hard freeze (several days). Japanese maple, pears, cherry, maples, lilacs all brown/curled.

Outcome

• Hardwoods re-leaf this spring (stored root energy).
• Lilacs likely too.
• Dead leaves drop naturally.
• Prune dead wood only after re-leafing to avoid cutting live branches.

Key Takeaway

Don't prune yet. Hardwoods reliably produce a second flush after spring freeze. Patience is the best tool.