Less of an influence of a very cold December would be how mild it is now. A very mild late winter can encourage early breaking from dormancy but it is not by any means a foregone conclusion. All in all, not a lot you can do :-) Just keep your fingers crossed a late cold snap doesn't hit!

If one is predicted and the tree small enough, you might want to take some protective measures, like draping the tree with harvest cloth.

I just reread that first sentence and it makes no sense at all!! Let's try that again.....:-)

More of an influence on the early breaking of dormancy than a very cold December would be quite mild temperatures now. Or if the tree is sited where it receives some reflected heat, like along a concrete walkway, by a stone wall or close to the south side of a structure.

Hope that makes more sense! Everything else remains the same :-))

Hey Gardengal,thanks,and it made sense the first time....well I understood you anyway:)You may have hit on something there as I did move it to a sheltered spot near the house for the winter,though it's never been a problem with other cultivars.As you say though,I've still got to keep the fleece on standby for a full couple of months yet.Do you think it's worth moving my other maples away from the house now in case they sprout early?,though they usually just miss the frosts.

I noticed the apical buds were beginning to extend on a few of mine, too,
so I re-potted all of them in a hurry. Gardengal's advice is sound, and I'm pretty
sure that they'll be fine - at this point, I'd keep them where they are.

Josh

Ah! noticed my other Katsura,in ground away from house has no sign of life yet.So yes Gardengal this spot must be a little too cosy,I think an Atro's gonna be next.
Well it's kinda nice to see the leaves emerging when nothing else is around,we've just gotta keep our fingers crossed,good luck with yours Josh..thanks guys.