Maple Trees Turning Colors Early Due to Excessive Moisture
If you’ve noticed some maple trees turning to fall colors already this summer, you’re not alone. Heavy rainfall and excessive watering are making some maple trees turn early. And that’s not a good thing.
Plymouth City Forester Paul Buck said maple trees aren’t supposed to change until mid-September.
“The trees are actually shutting themselves down in an effort to save themselves,” Buck said. “They realize they are not going to make it through this year.”
Buck said these trees are drowning with too much water and not enough oxygen. If left alone, that is a problem. Buck said the tree will struggle for 2-3 years and then die.
Fortunately, if you catch it in time, the case isn’t hopeless, Buck said. He recommends checking the mulch or soil under the tree. In Plymouth, the soil is clay, and harder to drain from.
“If you can squeeze water out of the soil, under that mulch, we’ve got too much. And right now, start backing off. Let nature give us enough rain,” Buck said.
By ‘backing off”Buck means running your lawn sprinkler less. During periods of heavy rainfall, that’s often all you need.
If you have questions about the trees in your area, you can visit Plymouth’s website for a tree care guide and diagnostic information.
Buck said these young maple trees are changing early due to oversaturated roots.
