It is August, but leaves may be covering your yard already. Here's why
If you're seeing maple leaves piling up on your lawn in August, you're not imagining it. The Weather Network's Kim MacDonald finds out why this is happening, and what you can do to help your stressed trees recover for next year.
A telltale sign of autumn is when the leaves begin to fall, but what does it mean when it starts happening in August?
Such is the case in parts of southern Ontario, but don't worry, it doesn't mean an early arrival of fall. However, there is something going on.
Ethan Benson, an arborist with Elevated Aboriculture, says the problem is showing up mainly in Norway maples, (Acer platanoides) with several factors working together.
“We had a fairly wet spring, and when we have really wet conditions earlier on the growing season, that is when the spores for things like tar spot and anthracnose are spreading," said Benson.
Norway maple with tar spot. (Marta Czurylowicz/The Weather Network)
In addition to the fallen leaves, you may have noticed black spots on them. They are tar spots, a fungus that can contribute to early leaf drops.
Benson said that was followed by high heat and low soil moisture, adding stress to the trees.
But the arborist said the combination of the fungus and environmental stress is what's producing the dramatic leaf loss we're seeing. Tar spots may look bad but they aren’t as problematic as heat or drought.
“Typically, it's just a cosmetic issue, and not really cause for concern," said Benson.
However, it doesn't mean the end of your tree.
Benson stated that a healthy tree should recover next year.
But if it happens year after year, that's when homeowners should pay closer attention.
If you see tar spot, you should remove and bag affected leaves because the fungus can survive in leaf litter and spread again next spring.
Benson says adding mulch around the tree can help regulate moisture and the temperature around the roots.
With files from Kim MacDonald, content creator and weather specialist at The Weather Network.
Thumbnail courtesy Diogo Cacito/Pexels.