Hi Amy,

Thank for your question! Of course, at this time of year, many (deciduous) trees are starting to shed their leaves and go dormant. However, agree that the leaves look as though they were already dry. 

This was a tough summer for our trees, particularly those with very little soil to absorb enough water for a healthy tree. One first step would be to water the tree slowly so the water doesn’t just run off.

Casey Trees uses the phrase, 25 to stay alive! Which means a small tree needs 25 gallons or more water each week to live.
Of course, larger trees need more, and trees need more in hot weather, but 25 gallons per week per tree is a starting point.

Suggest slowly watering your tree now, 25 plus gallons each week until leaf fall. Then just make sure the soil is moist below the surface, but not waterlogged because trees need air, too.

Suggest subscribing to Casey Trees Leaflet https://caseytrees.org/get-updates/  to receive the weekly update on area rainfall and cues on whether or not your trees need watering that week. Of course, newly planted trees need extra care until they are established.

In addition to watering, make sure the area around the tree is well mulched with an organic mulch without the mulch being up against the trunk, protect from mowers/string trimmers, avoid fertilizer at this time. Protect from ice melt during the winter, shovel & sweep your walk dry instead of using ice melts. Only prune dead or broken wood.

Hopefully, the tree will bud out next spring and with TLC will recover fully. Please keep us posted!

Many thanks,

KatieMac, Extension volunteer team