False Autumn

Almost all of my elm's (I believe winged and american hybrid) leaves are turning yellow and/or orange and falling off. Earlier this summer they were turning yellow due to over watering (rain) but I do not think that this is the problem. Any ideas? How much of a negative impact will this have on my trees?

Here in the Netherlands it seems that autum is very early on a number of trees. I have some prunus that are tossing their leaves too, perhaps a month early. Most heard explanation here is that due to hot dry summer weather the leaves age more quickly, and that the trees therefor go into fall mode earlier.

Leaves are falling from many trees here in the Blue Ridge foothills.

Ohh good. I was worried that it was really bad for the trees. Thanks for the replies.

Here in Kentucky I am experiencing the same thing--especially with my winged elm. Don't worry about it! (but remember, as they lose leaves, they will need less frequent watering.)
Oliver

Good point. What about fertilizing?

If a plant is not growing, it is not going to take up nutrients. Stop fertilizing as soon as the plant starts to show signs of fall, I'd say.

Roots are very active this time of year and will continue to grow/store starches until soil temps fall below 40 F...I would keep fertilizing in your area for at least another 6-8 weeks.  

By the way, I jogged 3 miles today at 2 pm...it was 90 F... still summer here, I guess  (though the maples in my yard are beginning to shed their leaves, too).

I have a Va. collected hornbeam that is doing the same thing......but most of mine have stopped turning....i had mine in too much sun for a while.......but then again even the native hornbeams are dropping a few leaves also.
Bryan

Dave Murphy wrote:Roots are very active this time of year and will continue to grow/store starches until soil temps fall below 40 F...I would keep fertilizing in your area for at least another 6-8 weeks.  

hm.. but starches are the endproduct of photoisynthesis cycle -> sugers -> storage. So plants move the energy around, indeed. Which is why the roots grow. I wonder however how much nutrients are being taken up. Anyone any info in this?

It is my opinon that fetilizer only can be used by the plant if it still have leafes....
I store my broadleafed trees in a dark humid basement....standing in the dark, do they grow roots all winter. the tips are white and fresh, and in end of marts ( still in the dark) can White tips up to 10-15 cm be found....all this without fertilizer...I never gave it a thought to ferilize after leafes fall.

Kind regards Yvonne

But this is normal guys.

Spring starts in September here in the south.. So it IS Autumn already in the North.

All my decidious trees are sprouting.

Love and light

This is an article from Brent a Evergreengardenworks.  It's a good read.
http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/fertiliz.htm

Dave Murphy wrote:This is an article from Brent a Evergreengardenworks.  It's a good read.
http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/fertiliz.htm

 love it

Thanks Dave...interesting...will read it more than one time  

kind regards Yvonne

Great article. Thanks for posting it. Most of that stuff I've been thinking this whole time but assumed more experienced people new what they were taking about.