The quintessential beginner issue: Chinese Elm with Yellow Leaves

So, almost three years in with a Chinese Elm and feeling really good about it's health/progress... I have leaves yellowing and dropping.

I am in zone 9, we have had a LOT of rain and I assumed that it was being over-watered.

About two weeks ago I started placing it under roof at night so I could, at least, keep it out of rain at night.

Problem is, two weeks of closely monitoring the water and the leaves are still falling.

I don't see any evidence of fungal or insect damage... it is still throwing out a small amount of new growth.

At first, the leaves dropping were the older leaves... now, even the new leaves are susceptible.

I would say I've lost a third of the foliage in the last four weeks... the remaining is a nice green.

Any thoughts or advice appreciated.

What kind of soil is it in? Can you provide a photo? Are the leaves falling off or dying and staying on the tree? What is the condition of the branches and remaining buds? Are the strong and flexible or weak?

Have you tried to get involved with and of the bonsai clubs or nurseries in your area?

It might just be getting it's fall colors.

I suspect it's just the time of year.

JimLewis wrote:I suspect it's just the time of year.

Is Fall color change commonly observed in Chinese elm located in central Florida?

-Jay

So the plant is still growing new leaves, or is it the youngest leaves are still green?

Paul

drgonzo wrote:

JimLewis wrote:I suspect it's just the time of year.

Is Fall color change commonly observed in Chinese elm located in central Florida?

-Jay

Yup. The seasons change down there, too. Pasco/Pinellas Counties are not tropical.

It seems (to me) to be a little early, though, for a Chinese elm to be changing down there. Mine in my frigid zone 6a backyard is just starting to show yellow, and hasn't dropped any leaves yet. I would think a tree in Florida would be a fair bit later?

And since the original poster claims to have had the tree for 3 years, this must be unusual behavior or I assume he wouldn't be asking the question. Hopefully he comes back and answers some of the questions that have been raised along the way.