Our burning bushes are not coming back this spring. We pruned last Oct to shape. Could we have damaged them?

Question

There are a few green leaves coming but for the most part, they look dead.

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Answer 1

I'm concerned you pruned them too late in the year and they didn't have time to harden off before the freezes started. They normally should be pruned in late winter or early spring before the new growth starts.

Do the branches bend or do they snap off? If they snap off they are likely dead. If they are bendy, they may still recover.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/burning-bush/burning-bush-care.htm