Noticing trees are changing color early? You're not alone

Some trees are already changing colors in parts of the United States, while others have started shedding leaves with fall just a couple weeks away.

Transcript

00:00The last day of summer is a few weeks away, but some trees are already turning a new leaf.

00:07Changing colors is a sign that winter is coming.

00:10In northern parts of the country, trees are starting to change colors and shed leaves weeks before the first day of fall.

00:17It may feel early to people used to seeing one of nature's best shows peak in October and November.

00:23There are many reasons why trees may change colors at different times.

00:27Sometimes it can be a sign that the tree is stressed out or it's not particularly healthy.

00:32So a lot of times we see the first trees who start changing color are those that are in like parking lots and places like that,

00:38where they don't have a lot of room for their roots and they're just like really hammered by heat and sun.

00:43Extreme weather conditions like floods and droughts can also play a role.

00:47So particularly in the Chicago region, we had that spell where it's been pretty dry and then it got really hot.

00:54So some trees are very sensitive to that.

00:57We also have some trees in the area that are prone to diseases that are really have dropped some leaves early.

01:03Different tree species are also known to change colors earlier than others.

01:08However, there are also a lot of trees that we plant, particularly in urban areas in our cities,

01:12that we have chosen because they have early and bright fall color.

01:16A lot of variety of maples that produce that brilliant red,

01:20they've been selected because they change color early and hang on to it pretty long.

01:24But oaks are usually among the last trees to change color.

01:28If you do notice trees in your yard changing colors earlier than usual, call a professional.

01:34So they're going to be able to come out and help tell you if it's treatable or not,

01:38or if it's something just due to the weather,

01:40because a professional arborist is really going to know what is going on in your particular region

01:46and really diagnose your particular tree.

01:48Arborist or tree doctors.

01:50For AccuWeather, I'm Emmy Victor.