Figure 1. Maple bud break in West Lafayette, IN.
This week’s forecast is indicating unseasonably cold temperatures for most of the state with lows in the lower 20’s. While the temperatures shouldn’t reach record setting status, it could cause some plant stress. Plants are most susceptible to cold injury going into dormancy and coming out of dormancy, with maximum cold hardiness during the winter. Warm temperatures pushing plants early, after receiving enough chilling hours to release from dormancy, can cause injury on sensitive plants.
With bud break occurring on some species around the state, some plants may receive minor damage. With only two nights of cold temperatures, there should be very little damage to plants in the landscape. Extended days of cold temperatures this time of the year are what causes extensive damage, so plants should come out of the week with minimal damage.
For more reading on dormancy and similar past weather events, see below…..
What do trees do in the winter?
https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/article/what-do-trees-do-in-the-winter/
2020 has jumped the shark!
https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/article/2020-has-jumped-the-shark/
Winter injury could cause a reduction of flowering on perennial trees and shrubs
