Buds Breaking

RichKid

Shohin
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I have an issue Im not sure how to handle. On one of my japanese maples the buds have swollen and some habe even opened up. Obviously its about to be winter. Is there anything I can do to?
 
I have an issue Im not sure how to handle. On one of my japanese maples the buds have swollen and some habe even opened up. Obviously its about to be winter. Is there anything I can do to?

Where is the tree being kept? are all the buds swelling? had it already gone dormant and you are thinking it is confused and thinks its spring?
 
I'm seeing it in landscaping shrubs and trees as well. So...I would imagine this slightly warmer temps have them confused. My take is...we've had trees/shrubs for years do this naturally. We just only realize it once it effects our hobby bonsai. My take...we may lose a few buds...but, they all seem to come through come spring. At least this is my attempt at reassuring myself. My cherry bonsai has slightly tips that look to be opening. But not the entire tree. It is what it is...I'm not going to overly stress over something I can't control. Wish for the best...is my motto...and try and take comfort in what I see in nature around me.

Now...someone might give us both some sound advice...but this is where I'm at with what is going on in my own backyard...and one bonsai tree.
 
I agree with Darlene: with the crazy T (14 / 50 / 24) in 2 weeks (no it's not a NPK :) ) some trees/bushes seems really confused here too.

However what could you do?
And I frequently saw this phenomenon several times before and the following spring the trees were quite fine, I don't see how the fact that the tree is in a pot can have an influence...
 
Where is the tree being kept? are all the buds swelling? had it already gone dormant and you are thinking it is confused and thinks its spring?

Its planted out in the ground in SE Pa. Some buds have swollen some have broken. Others are just there. I think its confused due to the weather pattern. I guess those buds are just lost? My main concern is that the limbs arent going into hibernation either. Dont want a lot of die back. Is that likely?
 
I agree with Darlene: with the crazy T (14 / 50 / 24) in 2 weeks (no it's not a NPK :) ) some trees/bushes seems really confused here too.

However what could you do?
And I frequently saw this phenomenon several times before and the following spring the trees were quite fine, I don't see how the fact that the tree is in a pot can have an influence...

The pot does have an influence as it is more susceptible to freezing and thawing repeatedly which is not good for the roots on a tree.
 
Its planted out in the ground in SE Pa. Some buds have swollen some have broken. Others are just there. I think its confused due to the weather pattern. I guess those buds are just lost? My main concern is that the limbs arent going into hibernation either. Dont want a lot of die back. Is that likely?

I would think the tree will be fine. My guess would be that you will lose buds that are active when it gets cold again and stays that way.
 
Its planted out in the ground in SE Pa. Some buds have swollen some have broken. Others are just there. I think its confused due to the weather pattern. I guess those buds are just lost? My main concern is that the limbs arent going into hibernation either. Dont want a lot of die back. Is that likely?

There's nothing to do. The new foliage won't survive the winter no matter what you do, so don't worry about it. Hopefully, more seasonal weather will keep the rest of the buds from opening until next year.
 
The pot does have an influence as it is more susceptible to freezing and thawing repeatedly which is not good for the roots on a tree.

Yep this is actually my concern with my trees, there I see the influence, but for the buds...
That's what I meant.
 
Its planted out in the ground in SE Pa. Some buds have swollen some have broken. Others are just there. I think its confused due to the weather pattern. I guess those buds are just lost? That in concern is that the limbs arent going into hibernation either. Dont want a lot of die back. Is that likely?

For a bit of winter protection you could put some stakes in the ground and wrap with burlap. You are not covering the top. But keeping the harsh winds off. I have that around a few in ground landscape material.
 
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Thanks for the response. I guess ill just have to wait and see what happens come spring.
 
There's nothing to do. The new foliage won't survive the winter no matter what you do, so don't worry about it. Hopefully, more seasonal weather will keep the rest of the buds from opening until next year.

For a deciduous tree: Do you think removing the new foliage and putting away in winter storage would inhibit unopened buds?
 
For a deciduous tree: Do you think removing the new foliage and putting away in winter storage would inhibit unopened buds?

If this was a deciduous tree in a pot, yes, I'd remove the foliage and place it in a cool to cold location out of the sun and wind to overwinter. Since the tree is planted in the ground, it can't be moved.
 
Thus my suggestion on wind protection where it sits. Wind protection can at times...prevent die back from harsh winds.
 

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