When trees trade in their bare-boned branches for leafy green stems, it’s clear spring has arrived!
But what should you do if your trees are still bare in the spring? That’s what Ohio reader Dianna asked when her flowering plum and paperbark maple trees didn’t get any new leaves in the spring after an unusually warm winter.
It turns out that trees like Dianna’s plum and paperback maple aren’t the only ones whose spring growth is slow. If the leaves on your oak, elm, or cherry tree aren’t coming out or if any of your favorite trees didn’t bloom, read on to learn what you can do.
When spring arrives, most trees burst into leaf, covering their bare branches with fresh green foliage. But sometimes trees fail to leaf out when expected, leaving their owners puzzled and concerned. There are several potential causes for a tree not growing leaves in spring.
Common Reasons Trees Don’t Leaf Out in Spring
Here are some of the most frequent explanations for delayed leaf growth on trees in spring:
Fluctuating Spring Temperatures
Trees like maples, ornamental cherries, and plums can be fooled by unusually warm spells in late winter, causing them to break dormancy too early. If temperatures then plummet again, the emerging leaves or flowers can be damaged. This stops further foliar growth until the tree can try again later in spring.
Disease
Certain diseases, like anthracnose, can disrupt early leaf development on trees like maple, ash, oak, and sycamore. Infected trees may lose their first set of leaves prematurely. If the tree is otherwise healthy, new leaves should still emerge weeks later. Monitor for signs like wilted, curled, or spotted leaves.
Tree Type
Oaks and elms naturally leaf out later in spring. Don’t expect leaves on these trees until late spring or even early summer when cooler temperatures have passed. As long as the tree seems vigorous delayed leaves are normal.
Storm Damage
High winds, heavy snow or ice, and lightning strikes can damage trees. This stress may temporarily impact their ability to leaf out normally in spring. Look for signs of damage like broken branches, cracked bark, or tipped trunks.
Drought Stress
Lack of water the previous season due to drought weakens trees and depletes their energy reserves, This can delay leaf production in spring Ensure trees get 1″-2″ of water weekly in dry periods Deep watering encourages deep root growth,
Salt and De-Icing Chemical Damage
The use of road salt and de-icers in winter can burn and desiccate trees. Nearby trees may suffer foliage loss or stunted spring growth as a result. Avoid piling snow laden with de-icers around trees.
Root Damage
Construction work, trenching, or machinery near a tree can sever and destroy roots Since roots supply trees with moisture and nutrients for leaf growth, damage can result in reduced foliage. Identify and protect root zones before digging
Overcrowding
When trees lack adequate space, their health and growth suffers due to competition for light, water and nutrients. Overcrowded trees often have poor spring leaf production. Careful thinning or removal may be needed.
What to Do For a Tree Not Leafing Out
If your tree is distressingly devoid of leaves well into spring, here are some tips to help it recover:
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Check for signs of disease and treat any issues found immediately.
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Scratch the bark on twigs – green tissue indicates the tree is still alive.
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Prune away dead twigs and branches to allow for new growth.
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Water deeply once weekly if soil is dry to lessen drought stress.
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Mulch the tree’s root zone to maintain consistent moisture.
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Fertilize conservatively with a balanced organic fertilizer.
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Monitor for pests like borers that may hamper leaf growth.
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Be patient – some trees just leaf out slower, but regrow normally.
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Consult an arborist if the tree shows no improvement after 4-6 weeks.
Specific Reasons by Tree Type for No Leaf Growth
Beyond the general causes above, some tree species tend to have certain vulnerabilities that can result in sparse spring foliage:
Maples
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Unseasonable temperature swings in late winter and early spring.
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Anthracnose fungal disease. Especially common on sugar maples.
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Heavy seed production the prior year saps energy needed for leaf growth.
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Salt damage from winter de-icing on streets and sidewalks.
Ornamental Cherries and Plums
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Erratic spring temperatures that initiate early bud break.
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Natural alternate bearing cycles (heavy crops one year, light the next).
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Blossom frost damage from a late cold snap.
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Stressed from over-pruning the previous year.
Oaks
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Anthracnose or oak wilt fungal diseases.
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Prior year defoliation from pests like oak leaf skeletonizer.
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Drought conditions reduces vigor and delays leaf emergence.
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Root damage from construction activities.
Elms
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Dutch elm disease – look for wilting branches and flagging leaves.
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Major limb loss or bark damage from severe storms.
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Root disruption due to trenching or drainage work nearby.
Ash
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Emerald ash borer infestation. Tunneling larvae disrupt water and nutrient flow.
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Anthracnose fungal disease causes leaf loss and branch dieback.
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Prolonged drought weakens trees and delays leaf development.
Cherries
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Erratic spring temperatures initiate early flowering and leaf set.
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A late frost kills emerging flowers and leaves.
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Pollination issues result in little fruit set which reduces vigor.
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Damaged, oozing bark indicates bacterial canker infection.
When to Worry About Lack of Spring Leaf Growth
While delayed leaf emergence may just indicate a minor issue, it can also be a sign of more serious underlying problems in some cases:
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Look for cankers, wounds, and decaying bark that signal disease.
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Check for borer tunnels or EAB exit holes signaling infestation.
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Peeling bark and water sprouts may mean canker disease.
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Watch for sawdust-like frass indicating borers are active.
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Check if only one side of the tree lacks leaves, implying root or vascular system damage.
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Monitor for fungal growth, molds, and mushrooms around the tree roots.
If you observe any of these warning signs, have an arborist inspect the tree as soon as possible. Catching problems early improves the odds of saving the tree.
When to Take Action
Don’t panic if your tree isn’t fully leafed out by the end of April. Allow until at least mid-May for late bloomers to catch up.
However, if your tree shows no signs of life by the middle of May, it may be dead or in severe decline. Look for these signs to determine if your tree is still viable:
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Scratch the twigs and check for moist green tissue just under the bark.
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Examine the buds to see if they are plump and not shriveled or damaged.
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Watch for suckers and water sprouts emerging from the trunk, indicating dormant buds are active.
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Check the color of needles on evergreens – yellow or brown likely means the tree is dead.
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Monitor the soil moisture around the roots – dry soil prevents growth.
If there are no indicators of life by mid-May, the chances your tree can recover drop significantly. At that point, removal may be your best option before the tree becomes a safety hazard.
An absence of spring leaves doesn’t necessarily spell doom for a tree, but the underlying cause needs to be diagnosed and addressed promptly to restore health before permanent damage occurs. With quick action, most impacted trees can make a full recovery and return to normal growth patterns. Don’t delay reaching out for professional assistance if your tree fails to leaf out this spring.
Look For Disease Symptoms On A Tree That’s Not Leafing Out
In the spring, tree diseases like anthracnose can make it hard for trees like ash, maple, oak, and sycamore to grow new leaves.
Trees affected by anthracnose might prematurely lose their first flush of leaves early on. If there are any leaves left, they’ll be wilted, curled and brown. If the tree is otherwise healthy and the infection has gone away, it should get a second flush of leaves.
Is Your Elm Or Oak Tree Not Leafing Out?
Elms and oaks sprout leaves later after the cold weather is gone’. Because of this, these trees often don’t get leaves until late spring or even early summer.
You should give your tree some time if it looks healthy, which you can do by reading on.
5 Reasons Your Fruit Trees AREN’T GROWING [And How To FIX It]
Why is my tree not leafing out in the spring?
Therefore, these trees often do not leaf out until late spring or even early summer. As long as the tree appears healthy, the leaves should be coming as long as it is well taken care of in the meantime. Another common reason why your tree may not be leafing out during the spring is that it may have been damaged by storms and high winds.
Why is my tree not sprouting leaves?
Therefore, your tree will be much slower to sprout leaves once the spring actually arrives. Another common reason why your tree may not be leafing out is due to tree disease. Anthracnose disease is a common cause of why a tree is not sprouting new leaves. The trees most commonly affected by this disease are Ash, Maple, and Sycamore trees.
Why is my deciduous tree not growing leaves in spring?
It is common to find a deciduous tree not growing leaves in Spring, but that is not necessarily something to panic about. While it could be an attack by pests and diseases, it could also be that the tree species is a late bloomer. Knowing how to check whether your tree is dying is essential to avoid losing a tree to diseases.
Do trees lose their leaves in spring?
Some trees tend to hang on to a portion of their leaves through the winter, making spring leaf drop perfectly normal. We usually think of fall as the season for shedding, but there are a few tree species that go against the grain. But if you don’t have a tree that naturally loses its leaves in spring, your tree could have an infection.