Some Trees and Shrubs Didn't Make It

The harsh winter of 2013-2014 has passed, and so too has the drought of 2012. However, the after effects are very evident.

Some of the trees and shrubs in the area didn't survive. There are a lot of green ash trees which are now dead, despite extraordinary efforts to deal with the Emerald Ash Borer by our association. Some pines, crabapples and even shrubbery simply didn't come back this spring. One ash gave a brief spurt of spring growth and them simply gave up, and died. It was if it were a last gasp.

There were complications that gave us this result. Ash trees are sensitive to ground  moisture. We have had some extremes and the drought of 2012 was "severe" in this area. Lest we forget, here is the July 31, 2012 data:

Some well cared for and apparently healthy trees simply didn't survive. 

One possible conclusion: Life can be short, or shorter than we imagine and despite our best efforts it will end, and perhaps sooner than expected.