Ellen Thompson
Havre Daily News
ethompson@havredailynews.com
There are some late bloomers among the city's trees, but the local experts say not to worry.
An early warming period in February and a late freeze may have shocked some area trees, though, said Badland Tree and Landscaping employee Lynda Carlson. Carlson looked out over green ash, which she said are common in area yards and can be particularly sensitive.
The late frost, in combination with drought, may have destroyed early buds, she said.
"They do break bud again. They will be OK," Carlson said.
"They're probably standing there shaking their heads and saying: 'Oh no, we've got to do that again," Carlson said, sympathizing with Havre's tall neighbors.
"This late cold weather also will make things bud out late,"Carlson said. "If people think (the trees) are dead, don't get excited quite yet."
The best thing to do for green ash that haven't gone green yet is to give plenty of water and only a light fertilizer, Carlson said.
Steve Chvilicek of Frontier Landscaping said area trees will do just fine. "A lot of people get scared that the frost has burnt the leaves off, but a good healthy tree can absorb that," he said.
Chvilicek said quaking aspen, another common tree, can be sensitive to the cold too, but should still fare well as the temperatures rise.
Havre High School principal Jim Donovan said new trees at the school are doing well except for the green ash, which he said have not budded yet. Donovan remembers a similar weather pattern last year that may have traumatized green ash. Last year there were three late freezes, he said.
