Leaves Turning and Dropping on the Ash Trees

[ProMac1K]

I was outside in the grove just a bit ago today. Awhile back my idea was to mark all of the trees that I wanted to cut, whether they were dead or in tough shape. I did a bunch of that within a month ago, and have managed to a bunch of them dropped and skidded. Then I decided to skip marking the rest and just get them cut before too far into fall. From being out there, I noticed most of the ash leaves on the tops are turning and some are starting to fall. Just as I was cleaning up my boots from the thorns and stickers, a front must have came in from the southwest, as there were a lot of leaves blowing from that direction. I would think they would be from the walnut trees though, as that is what the majority of the trees are on that side of the yard.

Are you all noticing that the leaves are turning earlier this year, or is it just my imagination? Shoot, were not even out in the fields yet. On a side note, I thought I may have discovered the emerald ash borer out there, but it wasn't exactly the color of pictures I have been seeing. The profile of the body was about right, but it had a white belly, and clear/thin black wings the length of the body on top of it.

 

[Woodcutteranon]

Are the trees healthy? Any time I hear about the Ash tree I think of the Emerald Ash Borer. They have Ohio under assault. The ash will soon be going the way of the elm.

 

[CrappieKeith]

Our maples are going red.

 

[ProMac1K]

Yep, for the most part they look solid.

Does anyone know if there are any bugs similar in looks to the ash borer beetle? This one was also on a leaf, though I didn't pay attention if it was just resting or munching. I tried playing around with it, and it didn't really do anything. I tipped it over, and it just sat there. Oh well, I squashed it good I think. Not taking any chances......I feel bad.....but if it wasn't the ash borer it could have been a cousin. If it wasn't a borer, I don't know what good it is anyway.

 

[ProMac1K]

Our maples are going red.

Wow, ours are still green Keith. Which variety do you have up there?

 

[Laird]

I've noticed the leaves starting to turn here as well, mostly the maples though. The hills have spots of orange and yellow here and there. Real early for here too.

 

[ProMac1K]

Our maples are going red.

Now that I think of it, some of the extreme tops are going red. Most of the rest of the foliage on the maples are green.

 

[Curlycherry1]

Ash is one of the last trees to get leaves and the first to lose them so based on how cool the summer has been here in MN I would say it is no out of the realm of possibilities for them to be turning now. My neighbor's trees are starting to turn slightly.

 

[Shagbark]

We have the EAB everywhere in NE Indiana. Look at the trees and see if there are a lot of woodpecker holes. That is a dead giveaway for the EAB as well as leaves dropping.

 

[Steve NW WI]

Yup, been noticing the change the last 2 or three days. Sumac is turning the road ditches red, got quite a bit of yellow and some red tops in the woods.

Sadly, this means I'll be sharing my evening commute with tree watchers for the next few weeks...

But it means it's time to fire up the grinder, sharpen all the chains, take a trip up to HWY 8 for 5 gallons of the "good stuff", and see Boyd for a fillup on all the empty bar oil jugs I've got. It's almost "that time"!

 

[flewism]

Really, everything here is still very green. Large Ash trees around here are mostly standing dead or down. Everything else is still very green. That said we has a wet August compared to most. This summer was perfect though June and July, the right amount of rain and temperatures in the low to mid 80's. August was wet, which it is usually very dry. We have seen less than 10 day above 90°, and in year past we'd have 40 days plus above 90°. The field corn that I'm surrounded with is doing great. Seem like the last month or so we are getting what the northeast was getting all summer long. We've got 6.5 to 7' corn with 2 or 3 well developed ears now.

 

[RRSsawshop]

Starting to turn color here too!!

 

[Wood Doctor]

I was outside in the grove just a bit ago today. Awhile back my idea was to mark all of the trees that I wanted to cut, whether they were dead or in tough shape. I did a bunch of that within a month ago, and have managed to a bunch of them dropped and skidded. Then I decided to skip marking the rest and just get them cut before too far into fall. From being out there, I noticed most of the ash leaves on the tops are turning and some are starting to fall. Just as I was cleaning up my boots from the thorns and stickers, a front must have came in from the southwest, as there were a lot of leaves blowing from that direction. I would think they would be from the walnut trees though, as that is what the majority of the trees are on that side of the yard.

Are you all noticing that the leaves are turning earlier this year, or is it just my imagination? Shoot, were not even out in the fields yet. On a side note, I thought I may have discovered the emerald ash borer out there, but it wasn't exactly the color of pictures I have been seeing. The profile of the body was about right, but it had a white belly, and clear/thin black wings the length of the body on top of it.

That's perfectly normal for Minnesota. Forget the ash borer for awhile. Purple autumn ash trees are turning purple here also, leading to a brilliant red. Tree color changes usually respond to decreased hours of daylight. Temperature doesn't mean very much. The days are getting shorter and the trees know that.

Shucks, the large leaf linden trees are already brown on the outside and dropping leaves everywhere, same as last year in early September. It's early fall, folks, especially in Minnesota.

 

[bore_pig]

All of my ash trees have been dropping leaves for about a week.

 

[Moss Man]

Leaves dropping here rapidly, we haven't had rain for a spell so the dryness is speeding up the process. Officially fall in a couple more weeks.

 

[ProMac1K]

Looks like some of the ash on the tree lines already have their fall colors. Good thing I decided to mark the ones when I did.

 

[redprospector]

The Aspen's are turning here. They started about 2 weeks earlier than usual.

Andy

 

[yooper]

A good amount of trees have changed colors here too. Will be glad to see em drop early this year makes for better bird hunting If ya had the summer in Minn. we had in the U.P. maybe thats it....cool and dry. hell this week was the warmest 7 days in a row we had all year. In the high 70's and low 80's

 

[dingeryote]

I Irrigate the Blueberrys, and they are turning early as well.

It's gotta be the cool weather.

Most of my ash trees and the Popples have been turning for about a week now. Looks like we are in for an early winter.

All the same, check for EAB and make sure one way or the other.
If ya got 'em, report it ASAP.

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

 

[yooper]

I Irrigate the Blueberrys, and they are turning early as well.

It's gotta be the cool weather.

Most of my ash trees and the Popples have been turning for about a week now. Looks like we are in for an early winter.

All the same, check for EAB and make sure one way or the other.
If ya got 'em, report it ASAP.

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

We dont have EAB here ...yet, as far as I know. every mile on the HWY there is a trap and even on every forestry and county road. I have 86 acres about 2 miles behind my house and it is about 40 to 50 percent white ash, would hate to see it all go. As much business and work it would bring me I Sure hope I never see it here, would rather see a good tornado come through to make work I haven't had this year then that nasty little bug!