Behind The Scene
The record-breaking freeze in Texas has melted and most everyone is in a state of recovery. Thankful to have survived such an unusual event. But what about plants, shrubs and trees. How do you know if they will recover? What should you do? Obviously Team Athey & Remarkable Property Management is not in the business of landscaping. However, we know knowledgeable landscapers and we’ve consulted with them for a few tips to share with you.
Most landscapers recommend to let Mother Nature take her course. Just because the leaves are brown or black do not assume the tree or plant is dead. Especially if there is any green left at all. Any green could mean a chance for survival.
Wait at least two weeks to see how freeze damaged plants respond. Remember, a plant could be in shock and needs time to recover before putting out new growth. This may
take some time. In fact, it may be late April or early May before you see new growth. One landscaper said, “To be honest, until temps are much warmer, you just won’t know if a plant will recover or not.”
When dead leaves fall, do not assume the tree or plant is dead. Falling leaves are actually a good sign that the plant is still alive. However, if brown leaves hang tight to a limb, it means that limb is probably dead.
Several landscapers commented. “During this time period, when the plant or tree is fragile, do not prune back as it may put it in further shock.” This advice also goes for potted plants like roses. They may be doing poorly now, but with time and patience they may recover nicely. When you do prune, try to keep it light this spring and do the heavy trimming in the fall.
Experts recommend waiting three to four weeks before pruning. To determine which limbs are dead, scratch back the bark to see if it is green or dried and brown. Only trim the ones that are dried and brown.
Also remember if you have tree limbs touching electrical lines, call in tree service professionals to avoid harm. And if you encounter large limbs that are bent, remember they can snap and release, causing serious injury. It would be best to consult professionals on how to trim these as well.
One landscaper spoke specifically about the tropical palm trees that are so popular in Texas. “It’s difficult to predict the future of a freeze damaged palm. Most won’t show any new growth for months. I would suggest waiting at least until summer. I have seen palms recover after as long as a year out from the initial freeze
But what if you don’t want to wait? Maybe you would rather replant instead. If this is the case don’t forget many farms and nurseries in this area suffered from power outages as well. Which means many trees and plants in greenhouses were lost in the storm. This will affect their spring supply. It will likely be April before there are healthy, strong selections for planting. Therefore, if you do decide to replant, then you should wait for the quality plants that will be available in late April or May.
Hi, I’m Suzanne Athey, owner of Team Athey & Remarkable Property Management. I hope the above tips help you make the right decisions about any trees, shrubs, or plants that may have been damaged in your yard. If you’d like to talk further or learn more, call me at 469-916-1222 or email me at suzanne@teamathey.com. I’d love to visit with you and answer all your leasing and real estate questions.
