Frozen Ficus

[Brian B]

I accidently left my 4' potted ficus tree outside and it froze. There's about 3 dozen green leaves left on about 3 or 4 lower branches.
Can I save this tree? How?

[e Craig]

Dunno how hard a freeze nor how long, but based upon our experience down here in Corpus Christi:

Applying water to the foliage earlier [durin the freezing temps] might have helped. Too late for that to help this time, so:
1. Suggest that you do not prune now. Some buds and cambium tissue may survive, even in areas of lost foliage.
2. Do usual care, including protect from more freezes.
3. Wait patiently.
4. Some time after the restart of foliage growth, you may prune away the parts known to be dead. Still no rush. It is unlikely that there will be more parts lost by waiting for the growth to be well established.

Take care.
Craig