My Grape Vines Look Dead from Winter

Most vineyards located in cool climates suffer injury from the cold.

It can be hard to tell, just by looking at vines, if cold weather has killed them. Even if vines look dead, new canes might grow. If your vines look dead, assess how much tissue still survives.

Buds

Examine the primary bud, which is the central cylinder in the middle of the fruiting node. Make cross-sectional cuts through the bud about one-third to halfway up the height of the bud, and look to see if it's green or brownish-black. Check about a dozen buds. If injury is confirmed by finding brownish-black coloring, an in-depth examination of about 100 buds needs to be done.

Cane Tissue

Examine the cambium tissue of the canes. This is the thin layer of tissue found between the bark and the wood. It is bright green if healthy, and light-brown to black if the vine is injured or dead.

Management

Vines that have suffered moderate injury from the cold need to have injured tissue removed. Vines that have suffered severe injury, in the 60- to 100-percent range, should be left alone. New buds may start growing late in the spring and there may be new sucker growth. New suckers can be used to grow new trunks.

References

• University of Maine Cooperative Extension: How Can I Tell If My Grapevine Is Dead?
• Michigan State University Extension: Assessing and Managing Grapevines in Response to Winter Injury; Thomas J. Zabadal
• Colorado University Extension: The Colorado Grape Growers' Guide; Richard A. Hamman; 1998

Resources

• Mechanics for Avoiding Injury to Cold-Tender Grape Varieties; Thomas J. Zabadal; 2003
• Cornell Viticulture: Winter Cold Injury to Grapevine Canes & Trunks