Is it too late for my Beech?!

[penumbra]

If you are lucky you will just get an early dormancy.

This tree, if it does push new leaves in the coming weeks, will have expended a lot of energy. I'd give it some extra protection this winter.

I have several beech and I have had many situations with beech over many years. I would not expect a late season flush but I suppose anything is possible.

 

[HoneyHornet]

I bet the tree pushes new growth. I'd be surprised if it didn't. It lost it leaves to shock and sun. If all the leaves are gone, the tree will likely respond. That can be an issue going into the fall/winter. As you know American beech typically have only a single flush of new growth each spring. This tree, if it does push new leaves in the coming weeks, will have expended a lot of energy. I'd give it some extra protection this winter.

U think I should defoliate , leaving the stems behind or just leave it sit

 

[MGTT]

FWIW, I did not touch mine. There was no second push. There we’re some obviously dead branches I trimmed this spring, but, otherwise, I’ve let it grow free this year to recover.

 

[BonjourBonsai]

I've read that beech, unlike maples and other deciduous trees, have a hard time recovering from defoliation. If the tree has suffered, maybe it's not a good idea to force it to expend more energy. I would keep it watered and in the shade for the rest of the growing season and make sure it's protected this winter. Save those little cigar buds for next spring.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I would not defoliate, and I would not expect more growth this year. But it wouldn’t surprise me if it was just fine next spring.

 

[rockm]

U think I should defoliate , leaving the stems behind or just leave it sit

Just let it alone. It will adjust. Intervention will just complicate things.