PREMATURE LEAF DROP

Since the mid 1990's leaves have been increasingly dropping from trees prematurely.

Following are just a few photos.

photo by Gerry Hawkes - August 2000

A common scene in rural areas near Woodstock, Vermont in late August 2000.

Dry, brown sugar maple (Acer saccharum) leaves littering the side of a rural road. Nomally, brightly colored leaves fall in mid to late October.

In 1999 many attributed a similar premature leaf fall to prolonged dry weather. In 2000 many are attributing the premature leaf fall to prolonged cool, wet weather. More plausible is the fact that the trees have been stressed by years of exposure to multiple forms of air pollution and are therefore highly susceptible to attack by foliar insects and disease no matter what the weather. However, the weather patterns do seem to be more erratic which is in itself likely to be related to air pollution and global climate change which causes additional stress on the trees.

photo by Gerry Hawkes - August 2000

In the photo above, also taken on a rural road near Woodstock, Vermont in late August, leaves prematurely fallen from white ash (Fraxinus americana) trees litter the roadside.

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Contact Gerry Hawkes: ghawkes@eco-systems.org