Effects

• Energy reserves from the roots supply the necessary water and nutrients to develop and grow the first leaves in spring on a tree. Loss of leaves from frost is a setback, and the plant must muster up enough resources to again create leaves. Without leaves, no food is made. Lightly damaged leaves continue to grow with mild deformities, such as crinkling, according to Michigan State University.
  
  

Time Frame

• Different tree species tolerate late spring frosts differently on their young foliage. The colder the temperature and longer duration of subfreezing temperatures, the more severe the leaf damage -- or the more likely the tree is to die.
  
  

Solution

• Do not prune damaged leaves or fertilize the tree in response to frost damage. If the soil is dry, irrigate to create an evenly moist but not soggy soil. As warmth returns, the tree will acclimate and regrow new leaves as needed to manufacture enough food.
  
  

Warning

• If twigs are full of sap and a frost occurs that is severe enough to freeze cells in the twigs, branch dieback occurs. The freezing of sap ruptures tissues that leads to drying out and death. New foliage won't regrow on dead tissues.