Butterfly Magnolia Has Few Leaves After Cold Weather Killed Spring Buds

Question From: Grosse Pointe, Michigan, United States
Q: Hi Nancy, We have a yellow butterfly magnolia whose buds began to open this spring but then it got cold and the buds just rotted and never bloomed. Now we have a few leaves coming out but very few. Is there anything we can do to help all of the leaves come out? Will the tree ever look normal this summer? Thanks, Susan

A: Patience is the best medicine at this point. Trees have a second set of latent buds with will emerge if the first set is damaged by frost. If it doesn't rain an inch a week, give the tree a good soaking. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy