mature pin oak has not yet grown any new leaves this spring -- should I be worried?

[Anonymous]

There is a large, mature "pin" oak tree in my front yard. My guess is that it is well over 100 years old.

We moved into the house last fall, at which time the tree had plenty of healthy-looking leaves. In addition, the tree produced a huge number of acorns last fall.

A pin oak doesn't shed its leaves during winter. The leaves shrivel up, but the tree hangs onto them until spring, at which time the old leaves fall and new leaves grow.

As of mid-April, the tree is still holding onto its old leaves, and there is no sign of new leaves emerging. Having just moved into the house last fall, I'm not sure if this is normal or if I should be concerned.

Should I be worried? Is the lack of new leaves a sign that the tree might be dead or sick?

[Anonymous]

They are really really slow to leaf out. I have both Pin oaks and Other oaks. Don't fret. Give it time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are really really slow to leaf out. I have both Pin oaks and Other oaks. Don't fret. Give it time.

I want to be optimistic, but there are absolutely no signs of life, and there seem to be quite a few dead branches. Spring has sprung, but the tree looks the same as it looked in the dead of winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are really really slow to leaf out. I have both Pin oaks and Other oaks. Don't fret. Give it time.

I want to be optimistic, but there are absolutely no signs of life, and there seem to be quite a few dead branches. Spring has sprung, but the tree looks the same as it looked in the dead of winter.

You can always call and arborist.
Bartholomew tree service in Kensington for example.

[Anonymous]

Pin oaks can be as late as mid-may to bud.

[Anonymous]

Just don’t think about it until August. See what it looks like then.

[Anonymous]

Think of it this way, a week ago everyone's crepe myrtles looked dead.

[Anonymous]

They're just now showing a fuzz of green here in the city. So, I can believe that out in the suburbs they're a bit behind that.

[Anonymous]

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...."

[Anonymous]

Hey, OP how's it going? Any leaves yet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey, OP how's it going? Any leaves yet?

Nope. Not a single new leaf. I think the tree is history. It is a shame.

[Anonymous]

Give it time. Someone else mentioned mid-May.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Think of it this way, a week ago everyone's crepe myrtles looked dead.

Many crepe myrtle still have no sign of life. Some leaf out much later than others. Mine are usual dormant until late May.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give it time. Someone else mentioned mid-May.

Here is a fact sheet supporting that: https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_qupa2.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give it time. Someone else mentioned mid-May.

Here is a fact sheet supporting that: https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_qupa2.pdf

Thank you. This is helpful. I will wait and keep my fingers crossed.