Can you post photos? As noted upthread, a JM that loses early foliage for whatever reason will generally releaf without issue. The possible exception is Verticillium wilt but that usually shows up later in the season. When it does show up early, the tree will generally attempt to leaf out but the leaves quickly wilt and die off. No buds and no foliage by May is not a good sign and would tend to indicate the tree is already dead No pruning anything yet. Give it some time to see what happens. And you never want to fertilize a stressed plant. All that does is increase stress.

Nor have I, and I'm stumped! I am however happy to report that nothing has been touched since the introduction of the wire snakes. I haven't seen the cardinals since that last visit to the garden, and all other birds are staying clear of the garden (they only come as far as the edges of the yard). Still, I'm really curious as to why the cardinals would act in such a way. It's been hot and humid, but not all that dry, really. Thanks for the suggestions guys :)

There are some birds that lay their eggs in another birds nest. The Cuckoo, Cowbird, Whyda, Honeyguide and Black-headed Duck come to mind. "These birds, called brood parasites, lay their eggs in another bird's nest and let the other bird parents feed and raise their chicks. The "egg abandoner" is then free to mate again and lay more eggs in another nest. The cuckoo is the best known brood parasite and an expert in the art of cruel deception. Its strategy involves stealth, surprise and speed. The mother removes one egg laid by the host mother, lays her own and flies off with the host egg in her bill. The whole process takes barely ten seconds. Cuckoos parasitize the nests of a large variety of bird species and carefully mimic the colour and pattern of their own eggs to match that of their hosts. Each female cuckoo specializes on one particular host species. How the cuckoo manages to lay eggs to imitate each host's eggs so accurately is one of nature's main mysteries."

Wow, I'm glad other people know about these things. They are fun :o) I just wish the ocean track wouldn't have the bird chirping, it messes up the serenity of white noise. I guess that's what the big metal table fan is for beside my bed! Jessy, I'd just finished watching some Dick Van Dyke... I've never been much of a fan, but there are a few episodes that are truly great like the Christmas episode and the one where Laura gets her foot stuck in the bath tub. Laura and the kid really annoy me, as does Buddy, but I adore Sally :o) I LOVE being able to stream right to the TV with the Wii! Cloudychristine, that was funny!