Excessive rains have led to widespread occurrence of fungal anthracnose and bacterial leaf scorch in trees, as well as other tree diseases, and resulted in lots of mushrooms and bracket fungi. We are noticing many leaves falling early from trees such as silver maple
and sycamore. In disease affected trees, defoliation may be noticeable especially in low lying areas without good air circulation. At this point in the season, leaf spot and drop will have no long term effect on the health of the trees.
NFG 10/5/2018
Tag: leaf drop
Premature Leaf Drop
PREMATURE LEAF DROP is prevalent in the landscape due to dry weather. Plants are drought damaged by leaf desiccation, slowing of photosynthesis, and slowing of growth. Leaves wilt or roll, turn off-color, and drop. Conifer needles drop, current season needles may turn yellow, then brown, and are smaller. Plants in the first three years of establishment (root development) are the most susceptible to extremes in water, including too much or too little water. Drought stress predisposes plants to insects and disease. Examples of plants that do not tolerate drought include sycamore, tulip poplar, horse chestnut, sweet gum, Prunus, dogwood, maple, azalea, rhododendron, ash, pine, hemlock, Skimmia, Stewartia, Franklinia, and ground covers such as ivy and Lamium. Options for more drought tolerant plants include abelia, barberry, bayberry, birch, Malus, Amelanchier, Ginkgo, holly, lilac, some maples, ironwood, and white oak. Drought resistant conifers include Eastern red cedar, most junipers, Japanese black pine, mugo pine, Norway spruce, Colorado blue spruce and Taxus.
NFG 9/11/2015