A few decades ago, I clearly remember mid-October being near peak around me in terms of leaf coloration. In more recent years, it does seem much later. So much so, that two years ago, the leaves were in full, green leaf in late October. A freak snowstorm on Halloween caused enormous damage to trees and powerlines.ThisSeptember though has been dry. There has been no rain at all in over two weeks under really clear skies. Was cool but today was in the upper 80's. Latest drought monitor does show areas of drought developing on Long Island, Pa., norther Va.. Though this will probably be short-lived. Seems like a developing Gulf storm and a front should be bringing copious precipitation early next week.

Most of mine have changed with the exception of 1 Jap Maple,1 sawtooth oak, and 1 english oak, the 2 oaks are still green. We had a good frost a couple days ago too, it is evident on some of the plants, but these 2 are being stubborn.I promised the Eng Oak to the neighbor because there are 2 Eng oak in the same spot from seed so I don't waste a good tree I'm waiting for dormancy and it is taking it sweet ol time. But the reason for it, since the 3 trees are very close to each other, must be that the location is sheltered from wind in a sort of courtyard type location, high wood fence, building and Nor spruce blocking wind. If you have a microclimate too, maybe that can explain it, if not sorry I couldn't help.

You mean in the second pic? That is a juniper hedge that has grown there for many years. It has die back, then recovers in some areas, but it is old. I don't see the galls you are referring to unless you are seeing orange leaves from the serviceberry laying on/in it. I'm betting on rust also. Now that I think about it , this Spring I have noticed a lot of brown on my mature DeGroot Spires in the orchard area and also on a young Pencil Point juniper planted last summer. It was healthy until this Spring. The bottom at ground level is yellow/brown and seems to be going up the shrub. It sits in the courtyard garden as well, not far from the serviceberry. ugh. I have done nothing different in terms of mulch. Perhaps I've introduced a diseased juniper (the pencil point).

That pic is from october 21st, I took them inside that night when it was supposed to freeze, then they went back the following morning. They've been outside since and now that they are leafless they are back inside. Like I said, they've been in the bucket since they were given to me in spring, how exactly am i supposed to separate them without barerooting? I've learned over the last few years its never as simple as digging a hole in my yard, there are always huge tree roots from trees that were removed or are still present, or random 100lb stones. I will dig as soom as I can but it almost always involves the mattock and sawzall.