Fall is rolling in, and the beautiful tree color change is underway! Although this change of color is always eye candy, we want to know the signs of trees who might be struggling during this transition. If you know how to read them, you can catch trouble early and help them thrive through the colder months.
The Leaf Color Change Isn’t Just Pretty
When leaves shift from green to yellow, red, or orange, it can feel like Mother Nature’s paint job. As daylight shortens and temperatures drop, trees slow down their chlorophyll production. If the change is early, patchy, or weirdly uneven, it could mean the tree is under some kind of stressor: maybe drought, or poor soil, or even early symptoms of a disease. When your trees skip their usual bright show and go dull too fast, that’s their way of warning you there might be an issue going on.
Watch for spots, weirdly twisted leaves, or early drop-off. Those are good indicators that your tree might be under stress.
Dropping Leaves Early (Before the Crowd)
If your tree starts shedding leaves well before most of its neighbors, it’s not being dramatic, it’s giving an early warning sign. Early leaf drop is a survival mode. It might mean there was too little water this summer, or that pests or fungus took hold.
Sometimes trees do it to reduce water loss ahead of freezing or wind. But if it happens too early, or unevenly across the canopy, it could be an SOS signal: the roots can’t keep up, or there’s internal damage.
If you see this kind of behavior, it’s a good idea to inspect the soil, check watering habits, or look for signs of insects or rot.
Weak Branches, Cracks, or Bark Wounds
Bark gets scratched. Branches crack. That happens. But when you see multiple cracks, or splits near joints (where the branch meets the trunk), or peeling bark that doesn’t match the rest of the tree’s texture, your tree is showing signs of problems.
It could be storm damage, fungus inside, or internal stress from overgrowth. It might also mean structural imbalance, heavy limbs pulling one way, or root issues pulling the other way.
A mature tree with bad cracks is like a wobbly table leg, it might hold for now, but a strong windstorm could tip it over. So those cracks deserve attention well before the winter arrives.
Mushrooms, Fungus, or Weird Growths at the Base
If you notice odd little mushrooms or fungal growth at the base of your tree or around its roots, your tree might be whispering root rot or internal decay. Fungi often feed on wood or roots that are weakened or dead.
Don’t ignore those weird growths. Instead, think of them as your tree’s way of waving a red flag. It might still be okay, but it’s worth a closer look before things get worse.
This is especially true in autumn, because wet leaves, rainy weather, and cooler temps make conditions ideal for fungal activity.
Your Tree’s Shape Is Changing
Is your tree’s silhouette looking lopsided this fall? Maybe one side has fewer leaves, or high branches are bare while lower ones are full. That could mean the roots on one side aren’t absorbing enough water, or that sunlight access on that side is blocked.
It might also mean previous trimming or pruning didn’t go evenly. Trees are tough, but they’ll “lean in” to where conditions are best, so pay attention to how vertical your tree is. Your tree is giving you hints about where it’s not getting enough love.
How Rock Creek Can Help
Your trees don’t have to shout for help. Rock Creek Tree, Turf & Landscape offers a free inspection to decode what your autumn trees are trying to tell you. Our certified arborists will walk your yard, identify signs of stress (like odd leaf color, weak limbs, or fungus), and suggest fixes from pruning to soil treatment or pest management.
Want peace of mind? Contact Rock Creek today for a free tree health check before winter sets in.