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Am I crazy?? Leaves changing already??

16 years ago

I swear a few of our (Central New Jersey) leaves are already turning red and gold. I must be nuts, right? Or is anyone else seeing this? Global warming in action?

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Comments (10)

quirkyquercus
16 years ago
Yes seeing it here on some of the same trees that did this early last year. I presume it is some stress. I am to the north of Atlantarctica, GA
spruceman
16 years ago
I am seeing it here in Northern VA. Some areas here are having a moderate drought, and some near by areas are in a severe drought. If any of the trees that have leaves turning yellow are not fully established, I would water them. If the drought continues they could die or at least be weakened. I have four newly planted red maples and one began to have leaves turn. I watered it and it stopped, but the leaves that turned so early dried up and dropped off. Even trees planted two or three years ago may need water in a severe drought. When all the soil is so dry any water you give at the base of a tree is sucked away fast by all the very dry surrounding soil. Be careful to monitor the mositure levels for your trees carefully in these conditions.

--Spruce
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herbivore
Original Author
16 years ago
Actually I have no control over the moisture exposure for these trees, as I'm just describing the ones in our neighborhood/town.

Interesting info though. I can't even believe my eyes. It's JULY!!
livingfossil
16 years ago
I have an apple that is losing leaves. I think it was because we are in a semi-drought.
quirkyquercus
16 years ago
I don't think OP is talking about losing leaves due to drought which is pretty obvious most of the time. This is like autumn where all the leaves on the tree change colors. I'm seeing it on Autumn Blaze silver maples to be more specific.
jqpublic
16 years ago
I am seeing it on Tulip Trees and River Birch. These always do this in the height of summer just because it gets so darn hot here.
dctreenut
16 years ago
I saw what I presume were black locusts in Nelson Country Virginia with reddish/brown leaves last weekend. Strange how it seemed to be one species with this problem.
Dibbit
16 years ago
I've seen yellow leaves on several tulip trees along the roads here - severe to moderate drought, coupled with a lot of wind = stress, and an early turning to autumn color. So far, mine seem to be OK - I had a few meager (less than 0.1" each time) rains, while this area had none, so guess that was enough to make a difference, plus less wind...., AND IT'S RAINING NOW!!!!! says she with a big grin!
bengz6westmd
16 years ago
dctreenut, that's been going on w/Black locusts here, at least west of the Blue Ridge, for decades now. This yr seems typical -- patches of them are starting to brown noticably. From memory this is caused by plague of small, chewing bugs. Black locust has expanded its range greatly in the last century & is paying the price for it -- its enemies have also prospered.

A few isolated BLs near my lot escape their attention & keep green leaves thru the season.
Pamchesbay
16 years ago
No, you aren't crazy. The drought is affecting many areas of the Mid-Atlantic region. In southeastern VA, we've had 0.5 inches of rain in July. According to an article in the Washington Post, the governor of Virginia requested drought disaster aid for 10 counties, others may be eligible. Maryland will decide whether to apply for the designation by the end of next week.

"The governor's office is helping is helping ten counties with requests for federal drought disaster designations: Bland, Lee, Washington, Brunswick, Russell, Wise, Caroline, Scott, Culpeper, and Smyth . . . adjacent localities also may be eligible for federal assistance: the counties of Floyd, Grayson, Pulaski, Franklin, Henry and Wythe, and the city of Galax."

Pam

Here is a link that might be useful: Dire Forecast For Md., Va. Corn Crops

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