Emergency Tree Removal
We all look forward to fall when our trees change color and gracefully shed their leaves for the winter. But it’s a completely different and far more alarming story when you gaze out your window in the middle of July and see leaves scattered across your lawn.
While summer leaf loss is a cause for concern, it’s often a correctable problem. Understanding the “why” behind the premature leaf drop is the first and most critical step toward helping your tree recover. In this guide, we’ll explore the most common reasons trees lose their leaves in the summer so you can take the right steps to improve your tree’s health.
Drought Stress
Long periods of heat with little rainfall, a common occurrence in our Carolina summers, can be incredibly taxing on trees. When a tree doesn’t receive enough water, its leaves may turn yellow or brown, become brittle, wilt and curl, and fall off. This is the tree’s attempt to conserve what little moisture it has.
The solution to drought stress is deep, infrequent watering. Instead of a light, daily sprinkle, provide a slow, deep soak once or twice a week during dry spells. Use a soaker hose or let a regular hose trickle at the base of the tree, allowing the water to penetrate at least 6-12 inches into the soil. The goal is to water the entire area under the tree’s canopy, known as the root zone.
Applying a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree (without piling it against the trunk) is also highly effective. Mulch helps the soil retain moisture, keeps roots cool, and suppresses weeds that compete for water.
Overwatering
Overwatering a tree can be just as damaging. A tree’s roots need oxygen to function properly, which they absorb from small air pockets in the soil. When soil becomes saturated with excess water, these air pockets fill up, effectively drowning the roots. Damaged or dying roots cannot absorb the necessary water and nutrients to support the tree’s foliage. In response, the tree will shed its leaves. This problem is most common in landscapes with poorly drained, heavy clay soil or in yards where automated sprinkler systems are programmed to run too often.
Before you water, always check the soil’s moisture level. Dig down a few inches near the tree’s dripline. If the soil feels damp or wet, hold off on watering. If you use an irrigation system, review its schedule and reduce the frequency for the zones that cover your trees. For trees in heavy clay, you should consider improving drainage as a long-term solution, but you can provide immediate relief by aerating the soil around the tree to provide more oxygen to the roots.
Pest Infestations
A variety of insects can cause a tree to lose its leaves during the summer. These pests generally fall into two categories: sap-suckers and defoliators. Sap-sucking insects like aphids, spider mites, and armored and soft scale insects pierce the leaves and feed on the vital fluids inside. This feeding causes leaves to yellow, develop spots (a condition known as stippling), and eventually fall off. Defoliating insects, such as caterpillars, Japanese beetles, and other leaf-chewing bugs, consume the leaf tissue itself. A severe infestation of either type of pest can put immense stress on a tree, causing it to shed the damaged leaves to conserve energy.
To determine if your tree is being attacked by sap-suckers or defoliators, you can look for common signs of pest infestations. Look at the leaves (both top and bottom), stems, and trunk for insects, fine webbing, chewed holes, or a sticky residue known as honeydew. If you spot any of these problems, call a certified arborist. It’s important to note that different pests require different treatments, and a professional can ensure the correct product is used safely and effectively without harming beneficial insects or your surrounding landscape.
Fungal and Bacterial Diseases
Leaf spot diseases, anthracnose, powdery mildew, and various blights are common diseases that lead to summer leaf drop. You may see your tree’s leaves become spotted or discolored in places before the damaged leaf tissue dies and the tree sheds the leaf prematurely. Fungal diseases, in particular, tend to thrive in the damp, humid conditions that are common during parts of the summer. Anthracnose, for example, is a frequent issue for dogwoods and sycamores, causing dark lesions and significant defoliation.
To manage tree diseases, rake up and dispose of all fallen leaves and twigs from around the base of the tree. This material can harbor fungal spores that can splash back up and reinfect the tree in the same or the following season. Next, schedule an appointment for tree spraying or trunk injections. Your certified arborist can apply curative and preventative treatments that are timed correctly with the disease’s life cycle. They may also strategically prune the tree to improve air circulation through the canopy and allow leaves to dry more quickly after it rains.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Just like any living thing, trees require a balanced diet of essential nutrients to remain healthy. When the soil is lacking in key minerals like nitrogen, iron, or manganese, it can lead to a condition called chlorosis. The most common symptom of chlorosis is the yellowing of leaf tissue while the veins of the leaf remain green. This gives the leaf a distinctive, veiny appearance. If the deficiency is not corrected, the chlorotic leaves will eventually die and fall from the tree as it can no longer sustain them.
A professional soil test is the most accurate way to diagnose a nutrient deficiency. This test will reveal the specific nutrients your soil is lacking and provide information about the soil’s pH, which affects nutrient availability. Based on the results, a plant health care specialist will develop a targeted fertilization plan to provide the tree with a steady, balanced diet.
Transplant Shock
If your tree was planted within the last year or two, summer leaf drop may be a symptom of transplant shock. It takes time for a tree to recover from being moved and to establish its root system in a new location. In fact, there’s an old saying about newly planted trees, “The first year, it sleeps; the second year, it creeps; and the third year, it leaps!” This happens because the tree will replace all of the damaged roots during the transplant phase before it starts growing above ground.
During this adjustment period, the tree’s root network may not be extensive enough to absorb sufficient water and nutrients to support a full canopy of leaves, especially during the stress of summer heat. To compensate, the tree will shed some of its leaves to reduce its overall demand for resources, allowing it to focus energy on root growth.
Consistent care is crucial for a newly planted tree. Ensure it receives adequate water through deep, slow soaks. Apply a layer of mulch around the tree to protect the young roots. And avoid heavy fertilization or excessive pruning while the tree is establishing itself.
Find Out Why Your Tree Is Losing Leaves This Summer by Calling Heartwood
If you’re having trouble pinpointing the exact reason your tree is losing leaves this summer, know that the certified arborists at Heartwood Tree Care are here to help. We have over 40 years of experience caring for the trees of Charlotte, Lake Norman, and Asheville, NC, and are equipped to pinpoint the exact reason your tree is struggling.
We will conduct a comprehensive tree health inspection, carefully examining everything from the leaves and branches to the trunk and root zone. Once we’ve identified the underlying issue, we’ll walk you through our findings and explore all of your options. In this way, you can make an informed decision and feel confident about the path chosen.
Ready to restore your tree’s health and beauty? Contact Heartwood Tree Care today to schedule a consultation and let us help your tree thrive for many more seasons to come.