Native Plants
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Monday - October 08, 2007
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Leaves falling early from red oaks.
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
The leaves on my Texas red oaks are dropping off prematurely. This usually doesn't happen until late November/early December. I'm wondering if it has something to do with our wet summer, or if I should be concerned about disease or insects? They are growing out of a very rocky limestone hillside. Thanks!ANSWER:
This seems to be a common phenomenon with the red oaks around Austin—at least around Mr. Smarty Plant's house and neighborhood. Some leaves are turning red and/or brown and falling. A few green ones are falling, too. However, on the majority of the trees there are a large number or leaves remaining. It could well be connected to our very strange wetter and cooler than normal spring and summer or some other environmental cause. Since this is a general occurrence it is not likely a disease or an insect infestation but just a slight alteration of the normal cycle for the trees. I don't think this it is something to be overly concerned about.More Trees Questions
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