death of a maple?

knupkid

I have a japanese maple tree that is growing in a nursery pot and has budded quite early due to being in the basement. It had tremendous growth (leaves) and looked really good. Spring hasn't quite started here in nebraka yet and gets kinda cold at night sometimes. well I put the tree outside when the weather is nice and bring inside on the porch (unheated). The other night i forgot to bring the tree inside!
The temp got down to 18 degrees! The tree looks like it is going to lose all of its leaves they are withered. I havent watered the tree and still give it sunlight during the day. I'm not sure if the roots froze or not. anyone else have something like this happen to them?

Any good medical advice would be appreciated

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Henke

I have no experience whith japanese maples but if it was kept in a pot, the roots were most certainly frozen. It has happened to most of my trees, even my serissas! They have all survived! Just be certain not to put it in the sun or wind whith frozen roots!! It will dehydrate very quickly if you do! The roots can not suck frozen water! I will not give you furher advise due to my lack of experience... Good luck!

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"I'm but a picturesque feature of the general misery"

Henke

Awright, since the heavy artillery hasn't made a sound yet, I might as well tell you some moore about the JM. A book i have says that they survive long periods of freezing if they're not exposed to cold winds (like I said). They can leaf out to early if you let them become to warm in winter which may exhaust the tree. So the maple is probably fine! I'll try to find one myself this spring, I think they look great! I have some birchs, oaks and pines, all native to my area but it would be nice to have some more unusual trees as well... See what I can find at the nurserys in spring.

Cheers!

__________________
"I'm but a picturesque feature of the general misery"