There is an active thread over in the Maple forum now. You may want to check that out.

I have decided to give my 3 some time. See if they drop those leaves naturally rather than pulling them. If they get brown and hard enough then I'll try pulling them. Logical thought would be you'd get new leaves if you see green in the stem. When you'll get those leaves is anyone's guess. They might look bad for awhile.

The latest from the Master Gardeners/Polk County Extension agent is to wait at LEAST 3 weeks after the frost before pruning out any "dead" stuff from your woody plants (trees and shrubs) - 4 weeks would be safer. Then cut back until you get live wood - i.e.; the cambium layer just under the bark is green. If you REALLY can't stand looking at them, then you can carefully take off the dead leaves, but be REALLY careful not to damage the buds that will be the source of the new leaves - do it SOON, before the new buds start growing. Perennials, on the other hand, you can clean up now. Water if the ground is dry, DO NOT FERTILIZE, and keep a close eye on the plants that had to leaf out again, as they should now be considered stressed, and thus prone to disease and bugs in the next summer.

Dibbit, there is an active thread over on the Maple forum with alot of worried folks. The thread is entitled "Wholesale Slaughter". Would you mind posting this info there? Folks are looking for some direction. Thanks so much!

i think you should post the same thing under the what now thread dibbit. that's great info & i'm clipping it.

Thank you Dibbit. I'm going to leave it alone now, I don't want to do anything to furthur stress the tree.

Carla

I posted a copy of my message in the Maple Forum. Anyone who wants to copy it and repost it anywhere else is more than welcome to do so. Add whatever you want to it...

thanks for your permission, dibbit. i posted it to a couple other threads. great stuff! tam