Many of my trees had been budding out when the last big freeze came to Texas.  I feared the worst for my mini-plantation of about 45 trees.  Several have definite winter damage to the tops and a couple sprouted up from the pot next to the main trunk.  One in a 2 gal container shows no sign of life (I think it's an RdB, too).

My original RdB had been put in ground last spring and did not do as well last summer as it did the previous summer.  It also had just started budding when the last freeze hit.  After that, there was no signs of any buds, while it's sister at a friends house has leafed out already.  My joy was complete when I found a small shoot coming out of the ground next the the old trunk!

The lawn guy cut it down the next day with the weed-eater.

When the lawn guy comes back wack his ankles with the weed eater. He will learn unless you fired him.

bummer,
don't give up, with a little luck, they will all come back, just a little set back.

Agree.  They will come back.  Even the one that was weed wacked.  As long as there are roots, shoots will come.  You might have to do what we do.  We put chicken wire cages around ours because we have voles, rats and various critters that have been known to snap trunks right off!

Suzi

That is a rough patch on the trees. Sorry to hear. All the things that you have to contend with , now the guy runnin the weedwacker too. :(.

Two of my baby RDBs (rooted this year) were hit by a late frost after I decided to plant them into the ground way too early.  Another was stepped on my my dog, or maybe son, or maybe me (! I hope not!) and now has a horizontal stem.  Luckily all of them have survived and are still growing and throwing new leaves or buds.  This is one strong variety!

John - they are tougher then they look!  Be patient, it will grow.

Hi Dallasfigs,
4 posts around the tree is my way to go.
Is the lawn mower yours ? ... If not put 4 steel posts that they use for the buildings foundation ... That's called revenge !
For the tree provide some watering and fertilizer to help her rebound faster and don't forget setup the posts .

Went out to water this morning to water and found a tiny leaf coming out of the main trunk about 10" above ground.  

Maybe it got a Frankenstein jolt from the storm that passed over last night.  IT'S ALIVE!!! Mwa ha ha ha ha

Signs of life in 2/3 of the babies outdoors (Adriano, Chicago Hardy) RdB is the holdout!!!

Finally, a shoot starting in the RdB! Took long enough! The three of them survived being outside this winter, though, covered with burlap and leaves.

I was gonna tell you James that I still have one extra rdb from an air layer I made last summer if you need it. Then I seen your post that it's alive. The offer still stands though.