When trees trade in their bare-boned branches for leafy green stems, it’s clear spring has arrived!
But what happens if your trees are still bare well into the spring season? That’s a question Davey blog reader Dianna from Ohio had when her flowering plum and paperbark maple trees didn’t get any new leaves in spring following an unusually warm winter.
Turns out, trees like Dianna’s plum or paperback maple aren’t the only ones that deal with delayed growth in springtime. If you have an oak, elm, or cherry tree not leafing out, or anyone of your beloved trees failed to bloom, keep reading to find out what happened and what you can do.
It’s finally spring, but your beautiful tree still looks bare and lifeless What gives? Leafless trees in spring can make any gardener scratch their heads, but there are several common reasons why trees fail to leaf out when expected Understanding the various causes can help you identify the problem and get your tree back on track.
What Stops Trees From Leafing Out in Spring?
Many factors can disrupt the natural growth cycle of trees and prohibit leaves from emerging in spring Here are the most frequent culprits
Fluctuating Spring Temperatures
Drastic temperature swings in late winter and early spring can confuse trees. Brief warm spells may initiate early bud break. Subsequent hard frosts can then damage the tender new foliage. Maple, magnolia, peach, plum and other early bloomers are susceptible. The tree will likely try to leaf out again later in spring.
Dormant Buds
Oaks and elms naturally leaf out later than other trees, often not until late spring when warmer weather has arrived. Their dormant buds simply need more time to activate fully. Have patience with these trees.
Disease
Fungal infections like anthracnose and leaf spot can interrupt leaf formation and cause defoliation on trees like sycamore, maple, and ash. Affected trees should still produce a second set of leaves in late spring after the disease has run its course.
Weather Damage
Heavy ice, snow, hail, and high winds in winter can injure trees. The resulting stress may impede the tree’s ability to leaf out normally. Scan for split branches, cracked bark, and other signs of damage.
Drought Stress
Insufficient water the prior season due to drought weakens trees and depletes reserves needed for spring growth. Deep weekly watering during dry spells can help improve vigor.
Salt and Chemical Damage
De-icing salts and other chemicals from roads, sidewalks, and driveways can leach into soil and burn roots. Nearby trees may exhibit leaf scorch or reduced foliage as a result.
Root Damage
Trenching, digging, or construction near a tree can sever essential roots, restricting water and nutrient intake necessary forleaves. Check for any disturbances within the root zone.
Overcrowding
When trees compete too closely for light, water and soil nutrition, the lack of resources can inhibit leaf formation and growth. Thinning or removal of some trees may be required.
Poor Pruning
Over-pruning or improper pruning cuts in prior seasons can redirect a tree’s energy away from leaf formation toward excessive branch and sucker regrowth. Avoid removing more than 25% of living tissue annually.
Pests
Borers, leaf miners, mites, scale insects, and other tree pests can reduce vigor directly by feeding on shoots, buds, and leaves. Vigilant monitoring and early treatment of infestations is key.
Signs Your Tree is Dead or Dying
While delayed leaf emergence may just reflect temporary stress, it can also signal more dire issues in some cases. Watch for these red flags:
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Brittle, lifeless branches and twigs
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Dark streaks under cracked, peeling bark
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Mushrooms or fungi sprouting on the bark or soil
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Leaf buds that are brown, dried out and shriveled
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A lack of flexible, green tissue just beneath the outer bark
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No new vertical water sprouts or shoots emerging
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Dead plants and grass around the tree base, implying soil contamination
If you notice any of these warning signs, especially on more than half of the tree, consult an arborist right away to accurately assess its condition while options for recovery still exist.
When To Take Action
Don’t panic if your tree has not leafed out by the end of April. Allow until at least mid-May for slower trees to initiate growth. However, if there are still no leaves visible by May 15th, the outlook may be bleak. Take these steps to determine if your bare tree is dead or dying:
Assess the Buds
Examine the buds closely. Are they plump and green which indicates health? Or withered, brown, and dry which suggests decline?
Scratch Test
Use your fingernail or pocket knife to scrape away a small patch of bark on a twig or branch. Look for moist, light green tissue just inside live bark. Brown, dry wood denotes dead tissue.
Monitor for Sprouting
Check the trunk, branches and base for new shoots or water sprouts which show dormant buds are active. Their absence likely means impending death.
Measure Soil Moisture
Use a moisture probe or your finger to test for sufficient soil moisture 8-10 inches below the surface. Consistently dry soil will prohibit growth.
Hire an Arborist
Have a certified arborist perform an on-site evaluation. They can identify signs of life not apparent to the untrained eye and accurately determine if the tree can be saved.
If no clear signs of life are detected through these steps, have the tree removed promptly. Dead trees quickly become hazardous.
How to Revive a Tree That’s Not Leafing Out
Catching leafing issues early gives you the best shot at nursing your tree back to health. Here are some tips:
Remedy disease – Have an arborist identify suspected disease and fungal problems. Treat immediately and properly.
Prune out deadwood – Remove all dead, damaged and diseased branches so the tree can focus energy on new growth.
Water thoroughly – Ensure young and stressed trees get 1-2 inches of water weekly during spring. Soak the entire root zone.
Add mulch – 2-4 inches of wood chips or bark helps maintain consistent soil temperature and moisture.
Fertilize lightly – Boost stressed trees with an organic, slow-release tree fertilizer. Avoid excess nitrogen.
Check for pests – Monitor carefully for signs of boring insects, galls, and leaf miners which can be weakening the tree.
Be patient – Trees like oaks simply leaf out later. Avoid hasty removal of slow growers.
Consult an arborist – Have a certified arborist fully evaluate the tree if issues persist after 4-6 weeks.
Consider removal – If the tree is dead or in irreversible decline, take it down to prevent safety hazards.
By identifying and addressing the cause of delayed leaf formation, you can get your troubled tree back on track and restore its springtime glory. But don’t wait too long before taking corrective action or the prognosis may worsen. A tree not leafing out when expected warrants immediate attention. With prompt care, most trees can bounce back from spring foliage issues.
Look For Disease Symptoms On A Tree That’s Not Leafing Out
Spring and tree disease go hand in hand, and anthracnose is a disease that can hinder leaf growth on trees like ash, maple, oak or sycamore.
Trees affected by anthracnose might prematurely lose their first flush of leaves early on. If there are any leaves left, they’ll be wilted, curled and brown. After the infection has subsided and if the tree is otherwise healthy, a second flush of leaves should occur.
What To Do When Your Tree Is Not Growing Leaves In Spring
You’re in luck! Often, a tree problem like this has an easy solution. Here are a few ways you can help your late bloomer:
- Inspect the tree’s buds and stems. If your tree’s buds are plump on the outside and green on the inside, your tree is healthy and should grow leaves soon! Double check your tree’s health by scratching one of its twigs. Healthy twigs are moist and green underneath the bark.
- Mulch trees to help them recoup from winter. The proper amount of mulch keeps roots moist as the tree gains enough strength to grow more leaves. Remember not to pile mulch against the trunk of your trees and keep the depth at no more than 2-3 inches.
- Water. Water. Water. Proper watering helps trees that may be under stress from pests or disease.
Insect & Disease Issues
5 Reasons Your Fruit Trees AREN’T GROWING [And How To FIX It]
FAQ
Why is my tree not growing leaves yet?
Trees won’t start growing if they don’t have the nutrients or water to do so. A lack of water will be more obvious, with the branches and twigs wilting. In times of drought, fixing this issue is difficult. To make it easier for the tree to hold onto moisture, mulch the area between the trunk and drip line.
Can a tree with no leaves recover?
Simply wait for the temperatures to start rising again. Your tree will start producing leaves naturally. In some situations, your tree may lose its leaves due to a disease or pest infestation. A qualified arborist can help in determining tree health without leaves and advise you on the best course of action.
Why are my trees not budding in the spring?
If trees and shrubs are started from seeds or are suckers from another plant it can sometimes take many years before they flower. Environmental stresses that may prevent flowering are drought, low light, excess water, winter-kill of flower buds, and late frost damage (a very common reason).
Why is my tree alive but no leaves?
If a Tree Has No Leaves Is It Dead? Not necessarily. No leaves on tree could mean that the tree is dormant to protect itself from drought and other harsh conditions like extremely cold weather. However, in other cases, it could be a symptom of the disease.
Why is my tree not leafing out in the spring?
Therefore, these trees often do not leaf out until late spring or even early summer. As long as the tree appears healthy, the leaves should be coming as long as it is well taken care of in the meantime. Another common reason why your tree may not be leafing out during the spring is that it may have been damaged by storms and high winds.
Why is my deciduous tree not growing leaves in spring?
It is common to find a deciduous tree not growing leaves in Spring, but that is not necessarily something to panic about. While it could be an attack by pests and diseases, it could also be that the tree species is a late bloomer. Knowing how to check whether your tree is dying is essential to avoid losing a tree to diseases.
Are your trees ready to leaf out in spring?
Just because spring is in full swing doesn’t mean your specific trees are ready to leaf out. Some trees, like birch and willows, leaf out early to lengthen their pre-summer food production time. On the other hand, trees like oaks and elms prolong their bud break to protect against sudden drops in early spring temperatures.
Why do some trees not bloom in spring?
Some trees will naturally take longer to develop any leaves even when all other trees are leafing out in Spring. They include trees like Crape Myrtle, Black walnut trees, and Black locust trees. These trees will never bloom in early Spring because of their characteristics. 1
Which trees leaf out early in spring?
Some trees, like birch and willows, leaf out early to lengthen their pre-summer food production time. Just because spring is in full swing doesn’t mean your specific trees are ready to bloom or leaf out. On the other hand, trees, like oaks and elms, prolong their bud break to protect against sudden drops in early spring temperatures.
Why do some trees fail to leaf out?
Some trees, like fruit trees, fail to leaf out simply because they did properly chill over the winter. How to get a tree to grow leaves is not a simple task and is typically dependent on the reason behind the leafing out problem. The best way to get a tree to grow leaves is to practice proper care and maintenance.