Knowledgebase
My maple trees are loosing huge amounts of leaves since about 3 to 4 weeks. What is the reason and how can I prevent this non seasonal leave loss? #767107
Asked August 12, 2021, 3:53 PM EDT
Maple trees in the area are loosing lots of leaves since about 4 weeks. What is the reason for and how can I prevent unseasonal leave loss?
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello
Early leaf drop on trees can be caused by many different things. If you are seeing small groups of leaves fall with a bit of twig still attached this could be from high wind damage, or possibly from squirrels releafing their nests and dropping excessive bunches of leaves. There is an insect which also damages twigs that causes them to break off in a light wind.
None of these losses of leaves will harm the tree. Trees can lose up to 1/3 of their total leaf volume without harm.
If you could attach a couple pictures showing several leaves with their stems attached, or if there are bundles of leaves show a clear picture of the twig ends where they broke off from the tree.
I can take a look at these and give you an opinion on what it might be.
