What is considered dormant for an inground tree?  If the tree has green buds and tips, but not yet leafing, does it mean it's still dormant?  I know that dormant trees are more cold tolerant than trees breaking dormancy but what is the litmus test for determining whether or not it's dormant?  Thanks.

Still dormant but opening her eyes

Great. So temps down to 36 at night shouldn't cause any damage?

That fig is waking up, no longer dormant but 36 won't hurt buds.

Weatherman said it would get down to 31 here a few weeks ago.  I wasn't all that concerned.  It did get down to 31 in Fort Smith, thirty miles North of me, where the weather man is.  It got down to 24 at my town.  Nearly all my trees suffered total leaf and most got tip damage.  They had already all started leafing. The last few weeks I been anxious about who was going to survive.  They all survived and are putting out a lot of lateral limbs/leaves since the tips are crispy except for a few that suffered die back to the ground and they have green buds below the surface.

I may be tarred and feathered but I have got to the point I really don't care.  I'm ready to figure out what is hardy enough for my area and let the rest bite the dust.  Survival of the fittest.  I'm tired of worrying.