I feel your pain. I have 6 Japanese maples, two that are in exposed locations and 4 that are sheltered to varying degrees by the house.

The two that are in exposed locations came through just fine...but that's because I wrapped them with burlap in November. The four that are in sheltered locations have varying degrees of dieback...including 65% dieback on a 10 year old Beni kawa. The dieback on the Beni kawa hurts the most, but I am hopeful that it will recover (I have seen some adventitious budding).

Lesson learned: When they say Japanese Maples are marginal in the Chicago area...they mean it!

'Goshiki Kotohime' is notorious for this ill effect, Dave. I've grown five specimens in the last 5-6 years and of the four I have left, three have dead branching. Part of the gig, sometimes cultivar's aren't stable/healthy longterm.

Will,

It is always be the first to break bud in early spring.

Way to early for for my area. I covered them, I have two, to prevent freeze damage in late spring.

The way it's headed looks like I won't have to be concerned anymore although the other one fared better but still damaged.

Dave

This post was edited by Davesconifers on Thu, May 29, 14 at 10:02