Our large Sycamore and others in the neighborhood started to leaf, but a cold snap seems to have killed the buds. Now, there are only sparse leaves on the tree. Will it recover, or is it doomed?
The bud mortality could be the result of a late frost, but anthracnose disease also commonly causes leaf, shoot, and bud blight in early spring. Anthracnose tends to be severe when spring weather conditions are cool and rainy.
Regardless of the cause, the tree will likely recover. Sycamore trees are very durable and can tolerate defoliation in early spring. Keep the tree irrigated if weather turns dry to help encourage a second set of leaves. Light fertilization may also help promote new growth.
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