Compacted soil starves the roots of oxygen and can contribute to the branch dieback.

tunguska fallen tree Aug 11, Early fall color is often from a lack of moisture but can be from other stresses, too such as girdling root or compacted soil in the root zone. Soil in the root zone will be compacted by repeated foot traffic and mowing across it. Sep 25, This growth will eventually drop from the tree. The problem is referred to as scorch.

Scorch occurs when the plant loses more moisture through the leaf tissue than can be supplied by the root and vascular system, such as during periods of prolonged drought.

The leaves didn't start falling like this, though, until about 5 weeks ago- so, the middle of May, which was only a few weeks after all the leaves completely came out on the trees.

If you have a red maple in the landscape, what can you do? Jul 07, The leaves are shriveling up and drying out while still on the tree and then falling off.

It doesn't appear to have any bugs or fungus. The trunk looks normal- no holes or anything- and the leaves don't have any spots on them. Sep 01, Tiny petiole borers feed on that, which makes leaves break from the stem and fall off.

Luckily, the amount of leaf loss is small, and the pests don't pose a real threat to maple trees. Tar leaf spot is more noticeable. It turns maple leaves yellow, then black before they fall off.