Elderberry Bush (tree?) - 2 years old, never grows from old growth

I live in Zone 4 at 8,000' in dry Colorado.  I planted my two Elderberry seedlings 2 years ago.  They grew 2-3 feet that first summer, but when it came back in 2023 the stalk was completely brittle and dead and all the new growth was from the bottom.

I was sure to water it well last summer and it grew 5-6 feet in full sun, looked great.  But again, this year that stalk is completely brittle and dead and all the new growth is coming from the bottom.

Is this tree/bush supposed to continue growth from the old growth?  I bought the seedlings from ColdStreamFarm and assumed it's the cold tolerant American variety.  I called them but it's just a recording, I think they just ship seedlings.

On their website currently the Elderberry is Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) stated to be Zone 4.

The shrub is certainly messy as every year twice the amount of stalks have come up.  Is it too late this summer to prune for only the strongest 1 or 2 stems?  Just 1?  

Any idea why new growth isn't occurring on the old growth or how to encourage it?  Thanks!

Can you take a picture of it, so I can take a look. I am growing them in zone 10b, but I also grew them when we lived in Denmark grow zone 6.
I also want to ask, if you added mat protection for it during the winter? This species are very susceptible to high winds, snow and hard frost, especially while still being a young plant. In zone 4 it’s not enough to protect the roots. While we lived in Denmark, we put a straw mat around it after adding a thick layer of mulch. Only put it around the tree, don’t cover it completely, since it will still need some light from the sun. Keep an eye out and if the top gets covered by snow, shake it off.

Ulla Bisgaard wrote:Can you take a picture of it, so I can take a look....

Hi!  Thanks for the help.  Here are two photos I just took.  I'm impressed to say it has already reached just shy of how tall it got last summer.  So I expect it to get even taller.  Each year this is starting from the ground, so the roots must be happy at least.  But I would like the structure of the tree/shrub to continue where it left off.

No, I did not protect it during the winter, and yes it gets very windy and cold here (dry cold though).  You suspect that is the issue?

I experienced the same winter die back with walnuts at my place.
Looking at your picture, I would say that in nature Elderberries probably prefer a more sheltered and moist habitat, so maybe use some kind of wind protection?

Walnut Trees!!?  Wow

S. Marshall wrote:

Ulla Bisgaard wrote:Can you take a picture of it, so I can take a look....

Hi!  Thanks for the help.  Here are two photos I just took.  I'm impressed to say it has already reached just shy of how tall it got last summer.  So I expect it to get even taller.  Each year this is starting from the ground, so the roots must be happy at least.  But I would like the structure of the tree/shrub to continue where it left off.

No, I did not protect it during the winter, and yes it gets very windy and cold here (dry cold though).  You suspect that is the issue?

Yeah, that  looks like frost and wind damage,  but the good news is that it’s an easy fix. Once you know that frost will come, wrap it up in something to keep it warm. It can be a blanket, straw mat or something else, that will protect it from hard frost and especially ice. The thin branches can’t handle getting covered in ice. Make sure you leave enough space on the top that it still get some sunlight. Once it’s a few years older, it might be able to handle more.

Ulla Bisgaard wrote:

Yeah, that  looks like frost and wind damage,  but the good news is that it’s an easy fix. Once you know that frost will come, wrap it up in something to keep it warm. It can be a blanket, straw mat or something else, that will protect it from hard frost and especially ice. The thin branches can’t handle getting covered in ice. Make sure you leave enough space on the top that it still get some sunlight. Once it’s a few years older, it might be able to handle more.

Thanks for this guidance!  Do I simply leave it completely wrapped over the winter (with the top open to let the sun in)?  I imagine anything sticking out the top will certainly die in winter.

Is it a good idea to select just one, or tow, stems right now to allow that to be the main trunk?  

I really appreciate your advice!

Ulla Bisgaard wrote:I also want to ask, if you added mat protection for it during the winter? This species are very susceptible to high winds, snow and hard frost, especially while still being a young plant. In zone 4 it’s not enough to protect the roots.  

I feel that Ulla is on the right track about what is happening.

It seem that every winter the plant dies though it is coming back from the roots.

As Ulla suggests, next winter use something to protect the plant such as wrapping with burlap, or a deep mulch with leaves.

https://permies.com/t/63115/winter-protection-plants-zone

https://www.starnursery.com/3-simple-ways-to-prepare-your-garden-for-winter

Anne Miller wrote:I feel that Ulla is on the right track about what is happening.

I appreciate your thoughts as well.  Am I correct that I must leave this wrapped throughout winter, seems obviously yes.  And that anything sticking out the top would certainly die until it's large enough to hopefully be protected?

Also, for Elderberry, I'm sure I could leave it a shrub, but at this point there are a bunch of stems.  Should I select one or two for best success otherwise risk overcrowding?

S. Marshall wrote:

Anne Miller wrote:I feel that Ulla is on the right track about what is happening.

I appreciate your thoughts as well.  Am I correct that I must leave this wrapped throughout winter, seems obviously yes.  And that anything sticking out the top would certainly die until it's large enough to hopefully be protected?

Also, for Elderberry, I'm sure I could leave it a shrub, but at this point there are a bunch of stems.  Should I select one or two for best success otherwise risk overcrowding?

First of all, there is no such thing as an over crowded elderberry tree. It’s just how they grow. All of mine has several branches growing up from the roots. You only remove some if you want to propagate them.

As for the opening. You cover the top too on the side, but don’t enclose it on the top. Think a tunnel vs a barrel. The sun will get to the plant even if the cover goes all the way to the top.
Also, yes, you will probably still get minor damage, but this way the top is protected from wind and even with the opening, they will still get some protection from ice and snow. Keep an eye out, if you have snow coming, and put a lid on. Once the storm are over remove the lid. That’s how we did it when we lived in Denmark.

Just for fun, I will show you one of my elderberries.
In Denmark ours never went over 6 feet and never needed pruning.
Here I SoCal zone 10b, they are between 10 and 12 feet tall because we haven’t pruned them since we planted them 4 years ago. This year we will have to prune them, so they don’t touch the electrical wires on the road.

Beautiful!  Thank you so much for your guidance!