[arobwk]

Anyone know whether young bracken fronds are susceptible to frost damage?

I noticed several days ago that one small area on my rough field had quite a few totally brown wilted fronds. Thinking about it, I've not noticed this before in the past 4 yrs of ownership.
 
Have now had a good look today and affected fronds range from a few inches to a foot plus:  some are already well collapsed and mushy when stems are squeezed, while others are half-way there and browning from ground up.  I've no idea whether my fields have experienced a late frost recently (mid Cornwall @ 200m +), but it's the first thing that comes to mind.  However, it just seems to be this one little patch which isn't an obvious frost-pocket so I'm pondering.

[mab]

yes they are - this year and last have both been good for knocking back the bracken here.