Sun morning we're getting our first frost. Quick question.

11 years ago

Hi.

I thought all of my trees were done growing and even posted about it, but darn it if one of my Golden Raintrees didn't put out a whole new bright-pink soft branch of leaves this past week. She's a real show off.

The weather man said it's not a killing frost; he said it will get down to about 36. Would I be prudent to protect that one particular tree because of that new growth that just popped out? I certainly have the means and materials to do so.

Letting nature take it's course is not an option. lol

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Comments (10)

ilovemytrees
Original Author
11 years ago
*its*. (mother and grandmother were English teachers)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 years ago
Letting nature take its course is most certainly an option! And probably the best option to consider. Goldenrain tree are tough and most definitely cold hardy for you. Losing foliage at this time of year is incidental and that is not cold enough to affect any branch dieback (that new "branch" is really a rachis or modified petiole and will be shed this fall anyway). Besides, 36F can barely be considered a frost.

Don't worry so much - these trees have all been around for a very long time and managed quite well without anyone fussing over them :-) No one to feed them or tuck them in in winter.........it's a wonder any have survived!!
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whaas_5a
11 years ago
I'd be willing to bet there will be a 98% chance that you won't get frost.

Can't add any more value than what gg provided.

I stressed out way too much this spring over frosts and freezes...never going to do that again!
bengz6westmd
11 years ago
ilovemytrees, my honeylocust does that every yr. The latest growth, say 6 inches, dies over the winter & next yrs growth continues from the first down-branch viable bud. No problem for it.

It's still growing right now.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
OMG.. i saw the post... and the first thing that crossed my mind.. crikey.. crimminey.. what is she worrying about now ...

i will yell... THEY ARE NOT CHILDREN ... they do not need to be protected from cold ...

what would you gain from it all.. besides some excersize ???.. another week.. until the next frost or freeze????

mulch properly.. plant zone appropriate stock.. water properly ... and let ma nature take it from there ..

i like that you are always thinking ..

ken
ilovemytrees
Original Author
11 years ago
We didn't have a frost, in fact, we weren't even close to getting a frost. I did nothing to protect that new foliage.

I'm watering the trees all day today and saw another one of my Golden Raintrees just sprouted a new bright pink branch with leaves.
ilovemytrees
Original Author
11 years ago
Gardengal,

You said "that new "branch" is really a rachis or modified petiole and will be shed this fall anyway:.

Are all the branches going to fall of this tree as part of the dormancy cycle? If so, Im glad you told me ahead of time. lol I bought it as a 3 foot whip with no branches this past March. All the branches come out pink and have the pink leaves, until the leaves turn green. Why haven't any of them hardened off and thickened up some? They were planted 6 months ago and yet the branches with the leaves on them are so thin, light and billowy.

To see those branches compared to my Hornbeam branches is like night and day.

By the way, Ken, asking simple questions is not about worrying! It's about learning. When I ask a question I am not having anxiety attacks or being a Chicken Little, I am merely curious and trying to strategize a game plan for how to go about something. How would you have liked it if you asked questions when you first started planting and everyone kept saying stop worrying! How does anyone learn anything unless they seek out answers??
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 years ago
Those are not branches that emerged on your 3' whip - those are the rachis or leaf petioles and yes, they will fall off this fall. In fact, this tree can generate quite a lot of litter as it matures.

This tree is rather well known for being 'branchless' until it develops some age and size. You may even need to do a little pruning in its early years to stimulate branch development. At 3' - really little more than a seedling - I would not expect to see any branching for several years.

And in Ken's defense, there is nothing wrong about asking questions but a great many of us, especially of the older generation before the days of the Internet and instant knowledge access, did learn most of what we know about gardening by trial and error. We planted something and hoped for the best. Odds are very good that's all that needed to be done, other than watering as nature required. Plants are a lot tougher and more durable, even in their infant stages, than most of us consider. A great many manage just fine with minimal human intervention ever. As Ken is fond of saying, these aren't kids - they don't need to be babied, or fed or coddled in cold weather. Stick 'em in the ground, water 'em and let 'em do their thing.
ilovemytrees
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you, Gardengal for taking the time to answer my question(s). You are always such a huge help on here, and Ken is as well. I am always so thankful for both of you for giving of your expertise.

I don't get why Golden Raintrees lack branches when they're young. It seems odd to me. I can't imagine what the point of that is since everything I've read suggests that having branches actually creates a thicker, stronger trunk...

I know, they were made that way and it's been working for them for thousands of years so who am I to question their growth and development. lol

I learned tonight that Thomas Jefferson was the first person to plant a GRT in America, and that he cherished the tree. I'm sure many here on GW don't share that same sentiment but I know where he is coming from.

Thanks again to everyone who gives of their time on here. I am always very grateful.
wisconsitom
11 years ago
Ilove, another tree which starts out as basically a branchless stick is Kentucky coffee tree. Some might even pronounce them ugly in their youth-in the winter. I know I do!

But they do come around.........+oM

Sun morning we're getting our first frost. Quick question.

Comments (10)

ilovemytrees
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Sun morning we're getting our first frost. Quick question.

Comments (10)

ilovemytreesOriginal Author

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