Maple Leaves Forever
  • News
  • About
    • About MLF
    • Our Team
    • Our Board of Directors
  • Sponsorships
  • Nursery Partners
    • Our Partners
    • Partner Qualifications
  • Contact
    • Apply for Rebate
    • Donate
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • What is a Native Canadian Maple?
  • Why do Maples matter?
  • Care and Planting Guides
  • Thank You Rebate

Early Fall leaf colour change indicates failing health

Posted by MLF Webmaster on
 August 1, 2018
Some maples exhibiting premature leaf colour change. Note the other healthy (green) maples.

Some maples exhibiting premature leaf colour change. Note the other healthy (green) maples.

Our Tree Guy answered a call from a concerned landowner with a tree problem. Several of the maple trees that lined his laneway were showing an out-of-season ‘fall-like’ colour change.

Premature leaf colour change is a reliable indicator of failing health.

First thoughts were that the trees were suffering from extreme drought stress. The trees hadn’t been watered this year. Trees that don’t get enough water, or are stressed for other reasons may stop producing chlorophyll causing the other pigments within the leaves to begin to show.

Further examination revealed the cause of the stress.

Severe damage to base of tree trunk caused by string trimmer.

Severe damage to base of tree trunk caused by string trimmer. The bark at the base of the tree has been stripped away, exposing the xylem tissue.

Routine property maintenance included the use of a string trimmer to cut the grass around the trees. Repeated use of the string trimmer had completely cut through the bark at the base of the trees that were showing the leaf colour change.

The”xylem” tissue, found under the bark, was exposed and had been damaged as well, reducing the tree’s ability to move moisture and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the tree.

A less severely damaged maple showing random leaf colour change.

A less severely damaged maple showing random leaf colour change

Five of the 22 trees were damaged beyond saving and will be expensive to replace. Several others will require attention to avoid additional losses.

An action plan was discussed. References were provided to help the landowner as he begins to make repairs to the remaining trees and attempts to improve their health.

All About Maples Caring for your maple News Questions & Answers
← Next Post
Previous Post →

Search this site

SUBSCRIBE!

Click below to sign up for updates on our activities, topical tree news and planting tips! We will only email you 3 - 4 times year. Not sure? Check out our previous email Newsletters. SUBSCRIBE TO NEWS >

MLF News Posts

  • Q&A for Potential Nursery Partners this week!
  • Winter Update from our Executive Director, Deb Pella Keen
  • Rockwood Forest Nurseries joins Maple Leaves Forever’s Partnership Program
  • To Prune or Not To Prune Maples in Winter?
  • Niagara Escarpment Views Magazine features Ken Jewett and Maple Leaves Forever

Categories

Topics

benefits of native maples caring for your maple Carl Mansfield featured article maple news maple seeds MLF Award nursery news planting planting tips Political action rebate sugar maple

Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe

Contact: info@mapleleavesforever.ca | 1 (888) 223-9181 (toll-free voicemail)
Maple Leaves Forever, 160 Thermos Road, Toronto, ON M1L 4W2

DISCLAIMER: Maple Leaves Forever and its support staff are not responsible for the use, misuse, or damage caused by application or misapplication of information mentioned anywhere on our website or application materials.

Maple Leaves Forever | Copyright © 2021 All Rights Reserved | Design & Setup by Maestra
  • Home
  • About MLF
    • Our Board of Directors
    • Our Team
    • Nursery Partners
  • News
  • Sponsorships
  • About Native Maples
    • Care and Planting Guides
    • What is a Native Canadian Maple?
    • Why do maples matter?
  • Thank You Rebate
  • Get in touch!
    • Donate
  • Search