Should I prune the dead branches?
taras1949
last year
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last yearluis_pr
12 months agoRelated Discussions
Should I Prune Some Mulberry Branches
Comments (4)Another reliable test my wife once showed me is to feel the temperature of the stems. Compare with known live ones with leaves on them. If the stems are dead, they will be warmer to touch then the live stems. If they are warm, they should snap right off. Cool, and they are likely still viable. This method works year round, even when the tree is dormant....See MoreShould I prune these branches off Itea (spirea)
Comments (5)I know they suggest to scratch branches to see if you see green under the bark, now I did this two years ago with a sand cherry shrub. No green...instead of ripping it out. I pruned it hard and planned my next placement to take it's place. It rejuvenated the next spring... My neighbor had two Rose of Sharon planted a few feet apart. I swore one was dead from the harsh winter, when the one beside it filled with leaves and the Rose of Sharon beside it stood bare branched and looking dead. I always drove by feeling sad that it hadn't made it. My husband and I even discussed it. Well...my husband brought to my attention that the dead shrub was getting green leaf buds opening up! I had refused to glance it's direction for it always made me sad...it was a beautiful lush bush full of blooms when in season. So I hadn't realized the new growth appearing. I would say...most of our shrubs did suffer die back from the harsh winter. But, I will always wonder if I didn't allow them to go further if they would have done as this Rose of Sharon had. Showing signs of life... Though...I didn't prune them out until July. Giving them longer than the nursery guy stated to do. So I'm not being real helpful...just sharing experiences in my neck of the woods. You can see the purple leaves of the sand cherry at the side of our waterfall. I had totally gave it unto death. As it had no green under the bark when I did scratched to see if there was any. I had pruned it under a foot tall so it would not be noticeable when viewing it from this direction. (I have posts on the sand cherry and my concerns of it being dead here on the forum as well) Neither is the shrub you have...but, something to ponder....See MoreOrchid Tree
Comments (3)Well, I nicked the trunk with a knife and it is green beneath the bark. Even some of the branches, though thin, seem to be slightly green inside. After mornings with freeze I've been watering it with a watering can with hot water so the roots warm off quickly. When should the orchid tree begin leading out again? It's the first I've ever planted. I know crape myrtles are late to leaf out generally but started doing so in early March last year because of our warmer climate....See MoreShould I remove dead branches?
Comments (6)Yes, sorry, should have stated to prune just into new wood, figured this was assumed. BUT, don't prune anything until you can assure it is, indeed, dead. Only 1 link works, the photo is sideways making it hard to see. Not very clear, can't tell what is dead (brown) and what is still alive (green). Tree does look to be in pretty bad shape :-( You're better off using a photo sharing site like photobucket.com, upload your photos, then copy and paste in the html link. Patty S....See Moretaras1949
12 months agoluis_pr
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12 months agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
12 months agolast modified: 12 months agodjacob Z6a SE WI
12 months agocharles kidder
12 months agolast modified: 12 months agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
12 months agotaras1949
11 months agocharles kidder
11 months agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 months agocharles kidder
11 months agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 months agotaras1949
10 months agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 months ago
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