uuhhg. I think I figured it out. I noticed all the dandelions were also very wilted. I just saw my elderly neighbour and she confirmed that she had a service come out to spray for weeds....even though it is on the border of our plots, I am guessing my baby forsythia was considered a 'weed' :(

Oh no! How many days ago did she spray? It's possible only the leaves will die off while the rest of the plant won't. A light mist could have touched the leaves but didn't kill the roots.

If you get another one, make sure to put some decorative bricks or something around it so no one will spray it!

Good luck!

Definitely looks like it's been hit with an herbicide, the drift from a neighbour's weed and feed application did damage to a couple of our shrubs :(. You could try picking all the leaves off and give it a good dousing of water to wash off any residue, it might sprout new leaves if it's not too far gone.

Annette

why rule out frost/freeze???

ken

Forsythia can easily take frosts down to 20 degrees with no damage, even after leafing out. I doubt some cold mornings did that..

I always wonder why anyone uses herbecides for anything besides killing invasives. I guess if I was in a suburb, it would be pointless here in a more rural location and wooded lot, cut down the weeds with a mower, they look the same as grass from a distance =P. Besides dandelions are even pretty, its also great when kids keep asking to cut flowers, sure.. go pick dandelions!

Silverkelt

So sorry. Maybe it will spring back.