Trees dropping leaves - Ask Extension
I have a mature flowering cherry tree and a mature small leaf maple that are dropping leaves like crazy. The leaves are green.
I know it’s been ...
Knowledgebase
Trees dropping leaves #877167
Asked July 14, 2024, 3:04 PM EDT
I have a mature flowering cherry tree and a mature small leaf maple that are dropping leaves like crazy. The leaves are green.
I know it’s been hot but this is a crazy amount. Any ideas?
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear Doug,
Thank you for contacting us about your trees shedding leaves in summer. This is not uncommon if the tree experiences either very hot temperatures or a deficit in water. This allows trees to reduce water loss. With fewer leaves, less water is needed since less water will be escaping from soft leaf tissue.
You might notice if most of the leaves being shed come from the lower and interior part of the canopy. These are least productive leaves (those that are shaded ) in favor of those that are exposed to the sun and make sugar. Of course, leaves that actually become sun-scorched may also drop off.
The important thing for you to do is to ensure that your trees are receiving proper irrigation, especially in hot weather. You can find the watering guidelines in this response to a question we received previously:
https://ask2.extension.org/scp/tickets.php?id=873789
I hope this information is helpful. If you see other symptoms in your trees, or if you have other gardening questions, please feel free to write again.
Thank you for contacting us about your trees shedding leaves in summer. This is not uncommon if the tree experiences either very hot temperatures or a deficit in water. This allows trees to reduce water loss. With fewer leaves, less water is needed since less water will be escaping from soft leaf tissue.
You might notice if most of the leaves being shed come from the lower and interior part of the canopy. These are least productive leaves (those that are shaded ) in favor of those that are exposed to the sun and make sugar. Of course, leaves that actually become sun-scorched may also drop off.
The important thing for you to do is to ensure that your trees are receiving proper irrigation, especially in hot weather. You can find the watering guidelines in this response to a question we received previously:
https://ask2.extension.org/scp/tickets.php?id=873789
I hope this information is helpful. If you see other symptoms in your trees, or if you have other gardening questions, please feel free to write again.
