Late last fall - October - several of my maples started to push new buds. I believe this was due in large part to our very hot summer; by the time the temperatures had finally cooled down enough to give the maples time to come out of semi-dormancy and realize it was time to push the second set of growth, it was already fall. Anyhow, obviously nothing happened with these buds over winter and now with spring finally here, I am wondering what, if anything, should be done about these 'old' buds still on the trees. Some of them are very obviously dried, others I'm not so sure. How can I tell if a bud is still 'viable'? Do I rub off the old buds to make way for new ones? Will new ones push from beneath/beside the old ones (if they are left on)? Will an old bud left on prevent a new, healthy bud from forming? Haven't encountered this situation before, so I'm unsure what to do.
Andrea, I'm in the same boat as you. I hope someone responds to your post soon! Last year I had the same issue, I think, and I just left the tree alone and new buds eventually formed and leafed out. Kevin in KC
I would leave them alone. Eve if they are dried they offer protection for any new buds that may be growing underneath. Its always better to wait until the trees leaf out to take action on any precieved winter damage. Sometimes the tree will surprise you!
I agree with K4. Dried buds always worry me since they can be a sign of a larger problem. But I don't see that there's anything served by taking them off, and what's more you could damage tiny new buds when removing. -E
Thanks for the recommendations K4, Emery. Because I hadn't been in this situation before, I wasn't sure what the best course of action (or inaction) was; I will leave the buds alone then and see what happens. Most of my trees are starting to bud nicely, some further along than others of course.
