Do you ever wonder why
the trees in your neighborhood begin to drop their leaves as the Fall season
sets in? Or why the trees that shade your backyard begin to turn from green to
yellow, orange, and red? Well, it’s a little more complicated than the weather
getting cooler!
Leaves changing color and
falling from their branches is actually a very important process that a tree
goes through to prepare itself for the approaching winter months. Stems and
buds are able to withstand freezing temperatures, but most leaves are not.
Therefore, the dropping of leaves is actually a protection method used by the
tree; it sheds its dead material and subsequently seals up the notches where
leaves were once attached. As we transition from late summer into fall, both light
and weather patterns will be changing; this is what signals a tree’s inner
biology to start prepping the sealing process. Eventually, natural
environmental elements like wind or rain will help the tree shed its extra
material.
However, leaf drop is not
only an event that happens as the seasons change. Trees may shed their foliage
for many reasons, including drought or stress. Pay attention to the trees in
your yard and any environmental climate changes that may be happening. Call
your arborist today to learn more about how you can aid in the protection
process of your trees.
The
Life Cycle of a Leaf
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