G'day Wendy,
I'm up near Cessnock and know of a similar thing happening to local trees. Basically they have a temper tantrum when either it is too dry or it gets too cold and windy and throw their leaves off. This allows the tree to keep itself alive when it is under stress. If it has new shoots appearing wait and see how they progress. Although this is known as an Evergreen Ash it is semi-deciduous in cooler climates. Best of luck. Louise5

I have a ficus in my garden (yes, yes, I know it's too big)and it drops its leaves when there's a lot of rain in a short time (as there has been lately). It always recovers.

Wendy,

Could it be grasshoppers? Sometimes they can be hard to catch in the act.

Doug.

Wendy

apart from when they lost their leaves in 2002, do they drop much and create much leaf litter as i am considering one for my paved courtyard but don't want to be a slave to the broom.

Karen

Karen I haven't had any problems with excessive falling leaves since 2002. I think they must have been stressed cause they were only young,although I never did find out exactly what was was wrong with them.I think Louise may have been spot on with the temper tantrum theory.They seem to be flourishing now with very little attention.They are just begining to drop a few leaves again but not enough to have to be cleaning up after them all the time.They are evergreen but will still drop a handfull of leaves occasionally.Mine are 2yo,stand 2.5mtr and still haven't flowered but they are still a lovely tree & i recommend u growing them.Good luck.