Mid-season leaf drop.

AHAWK

Hello all,

Several of my trees have done something I haven't seen before. Three Acers and two of my Liquidamber dropped about ninety percent of their leaves in the last week. They have also opened up a second set of buds and several smaller buds back on the branches. The trees that did this were the first to leaf out this spring. They opened about mid january. The new sets of leaves are strong and healthy. The trees also seam very vigorous right now. We did have strange winter in so. cal. No rain and abnormal temps. Any ideas? Should I be concerened about buds for next spring?

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TreeBay

That is unusual behavior, but it shouldn't affect spring budding. If you've been following the defoliation threads, many of us are or have defoliated deciduous trees in recent weeks, anyway. Leaves that grow back are smaller, but often have better fall coloring and hold longer into the fall.

Sounds like your trees have decided to take the heat by stripping down to their skyvvies for a few weeks!

Regards,

Matt.

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AHAWK

Thanks Matt,

I thought that might be the case. I have increased my watering a little. I figured they could use a day at the beach. It's been a bit hotter lately. The new leaves are just as large as the first set. I was wondering to if it had anything to due with how early the trees broke buds this spring.


Andy

ripsgreentree

AHAWK: You may also find that your trees dropped their leaves due to Santa Ana wind conditions. A steady, hot, dry wind will suck the moisture right out of leaves the tree will shut them down and drop them if they are damaged badly enough.

As there is no damage to roots or trunk, the tree will (if healthy) produce a new set of leaves. If these have enough time to mature and drop in the fall you will get a normal set of leaves in the spring.

Here is hoping that everything goes well.

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AHAWK

Rips,

Thanks for your reply. I live fairly close to the beach and we have not had any Santa Anas yet. The tree is in good health. I've had it for a few years. I did not repot it this spring. It will really need it next spring though. I think it is getting a little root bound. All of the new leaves and buds look great. It is growing profusely right now.

Thanks
Andy

AHAWK

Thanks all. The trees that have dropped leaves have all grown a new set. Both the Acers and the Liquidamber look very good. I ended up with a sucsessfull defoliation without even trying.
Andy