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News and Blog Articles
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As we work our way through the end of summer, we tend to hear a lot of similar concerns from our customers: how come my tree is already losing its leaves? It isn’t Fall yet, after all, and losing leaves can be a sign of interior decay, so your concern is definitely warranted. That’s why, in this article, we’re going to discuss the reasons your tree might be losing leaves at the end of summer, and whether or not you need to worry about your backyard forest. Some trees will naturally shed leaves during the summer, like live oaks and ornamental cherries. In fact, most ornamental trees, younger trees that aren’t fully established yet, and trees that are small in size are likely to drop leaves in the summer. As long as these trees still appear healthy (green leaves, bendy twigs, and new buds), and the falling leaves don’t have any leaf spots, holes, or indications of disease or infestation, then they are most likely just fine. Overgrowth
If the leaves that fall are mostly green and appear healthy, this is the result of overcrowding, rather than lack of resources. Your tree didn’t grow more leaves than it could support; it grew too many leaves for the space it has! There’s not much to do about a tree that got too big for its britches, but rest assured that your tree is just fine. Disease, Pests, and Decay
If your tree hasn’t lost more than half its leaves, the next thing to do is look at its new growth. Namely, look at the twigs and buds. Healthy twigs are bendy, and if broken, will be green on the inside. Dead twigs are dry, brittle, and dark on the inside. Buds should be some shade of green, whether pale or vibrant; dried-out buds are dead or dying. If the new growth is in good shape, then that tree is still alive and well, and there’s probably an external factor that caused the leaf drop. You can try watering once or twice a week and look for improvement. If, after a few weeks, you’re still seeing a smaller percentage of leaf drop, it might be time to call in the professionals. If the buds and twigs aren’t in such good shape, however, then at least that part of the tree you could reach is probably dead or dying as well. To check your tree for disease and decay, check out these signs that your tree might be in decline. If you think your tree might be infected, it’s definitely time to call the professionals!
Dormancy
Another instance of leaf loss in the summer can look like all the leaves on your tree drying out and turning brown and crunchy, seemingly overnight. They may all fall to the ground at once, or they may stay attached to the tree, even though they’re dead. This is definitely a sign that your tree just didn’t have enough water to sustain itself. A look at the twigs and buds will help you determine whether or not your tree is still alive and whether or not it can be saved. So there you have it! If you think one or more of your trees is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed in this article, or in our article on the signs of tree decline, please don’t hesitate to give us a call, shoot us an email, or request a free estimate on our website! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.
5 Comments
5/27/2021 12:41:15 pm
It's good to know that twigs being dead are a bad sign. My husband and I have noticed how the twigs on our tree are dead. We'll have to look into hiring a tree removal service to come and help us.
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2/24/2023 02:04:51 pm
We decided to start a gardening project in our backyard a few months ago, and we planted some trees too, but the other day, we noticed that one of them looked odd. That's why we're glad you explained what it'd mean if a tree's leaves are unevenly yellow or have spottings, so we think we'll start looking for a landscaping professional before we lose our tree. We appreciate your advice on how to identify an unhealthy tree before it's too late.
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2/27/2023 05:40:08 am
Eli,
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3/31/2023 02:37:09 am
A few months ago, we made the decision to begin a gardening project in our backyard. We also planted some trees, but the other day, we observed that one of them appeared strange. We appreciate that you clarified what it would indicate if a tree's leaves were unevenly yellow or had spots, and we plan to start looking for a landscaping contractor before we lose our tree as a result. We value your suggestions on how to spot a sick tree before it's too late.
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3/31/2023 05:11:43 am
Thank you for your comment! We're happy to hear that our article was helpful for you. We always prefer to save trees when possible, so it's nice to know our article might have helped one of yours.
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