Howdy, friends and fellow growers! This season, the Buckeye leafed out in the safety of the fenced area on the northeast side of the house, which the Buckeye prefer. The tree on the left, in a gritty mix, is fuller and has more compact leaves that are visibly reduced in size. The tree on the right was more heavily browsed by the deer, is in a bark-based mix close to the 5-1-1, and wasn't root-pruned or re-potted last year. All in all, I'm happy.

If every branch leafs out except for the part that you think is dead, then I'd consider that the affected section is in fact dead and prune it off. You can always lightly scratch the suspect limbs with your fingernail. If the scratch reveals green just under the bark, it is still alive.

Given the tree is 5' tall, I'd be more concerned a about the rabbits girdling the trunk than eating the leaves off the branches they can reach. Whether they would I don't know. Trunk protection, especially in the winter, may be a good idea. Never assume any plant is safe from rabbits even if they have never touched it before. I learned the hard way this past winter.

Bernergirl, It sounds like you have a perfect place to try to grow agalinis. I have a bunch of seed that I got from another B forum person and I'd share some with you. It needs to be planted among the grasses in your wild area. MissSherry understands it all better than I do. She has it growing in her wild area. Email me with your address and I'll get some out to you. I have started my own wild area in one corner of my yard and that is where I plan to sow the seed. Hackberry trees are pretty much "weed" trees around here. That doesn't mean you don't want one. They are host to more than just the QMs. They have leaves similar in shape to elms, interesting bark, and berries that the birds love. Black cherry is another weed tree that is invaluable to wildlife. If I had the room, I'd plant them. But, my neighbor to the east has a BC tree, and my neighbor to the south has a hackberry tree, so I get the benefit of both trees. Plant your host and nectar plants in mass. The BFs are more likely to find them when there is a stand growing. It's like they can zoom in on a larger target! Sandy