Fall brings the changing colors of leaves and the first frost, and many times, we are caught off guard and unprepared.
Frost itself can do damage to our plants, but sometimes more damage is done by the thawing and refreezing of plant tissues that have been frosted. It's similar to frozen water rupturing a pipe. As the sap in the cell freezes, its volume increases and damages the cell walls.
Frost damage can kill an area of leaf or stem or even the entire plant. It can show up as blackening on the plant or general deterioration of the plant. This is most likely on tender plants, those that have been planted recently, and on softer tissue such as buds and new shoot or leaf growth. That is why those final frosts in the spring can be so damaging.
Another common sign of damage is cracked or split tree trunks. This often occurs in places where very cold nights are followed by bright, sunny mornings, with higher temperatures causing a fast thaw-and splitting of the tree bark.
Not much can be done to prevent this problem other than wrapping the tree trunk or planting shrubs nearby to try to shield the tree. If the tree splits, it is usually best to leave the tree to heal on its own.
Susan Carlile, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
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