Q: My crape myrtles suffered a little freeze damage to the foliage. About half of the new shoots arr wilted and brown while the bottoms are still green. Should I prune the dead stuff back?

A: I’d leave the plant be for a few weeks. Even though the leaves may have turned brown, the buds underneath may have survived. They may leaf out once warm weather truly hits them. If you’re unsure if a branch is dead or not, scratch it with your thumbnail. If you see green underneath, the branch still has a chance.