New leaves on a defoliated bur oak

A couple of weeks ago, we told you about a magnificent, ancient bur oak that was suddenly defoliated overnight.  We said that it would recover quickly and that we would update you. With 10 days of mild weather, the tree has leafed out very quickly.  Most trees maintain large reserves of starch and protein in their stems, and they can quickly mobilize the stored material to make new leaves.  Here are a couple of before and after pictures.  The upper picture is the tree on May 21, right after it was defoliated. The lower picture is the same tree on May 31, showing how quickly the tree has leafed out.  We still haven't found the culprit, but this old tree does not seem to have suffered from early spring defoliation.

Defoliated bur oak

The Kirklevington Oak on May 21. There are very few leaves on the tree after defoliiation the night before

The same tree on May 31, 10 days after defoliation. Notice the new leaves growing quickly.

The same tree on May 31, 10 days after defoliation. Notice the new leaves growing quickly.

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