The Maple Trees Don’t Look Any Better
The big leaf maple trees that are the shady hangout for the main herd on those really hot summer days are not looking any better than the alder trees. The dry weather has done a number on the trees and they are stressed.
I would expect to see the full tree loaded with platter sized leaves this time of year as things slowly progress to the time when they would change to vibrant oranges, yellows and reds.
But this year large sections of the trees are already devoid of leaves or have dried up leaves.
On the hillside, I am also seeing the stress on vine maple and wild hazelnut trees. I am not expecting a very pretty fall this year since many of the trees are struggling .
Are you watching vine maple for Nature’s Notebook? I am and have not seen too much stress. I did report 3 colored leaves on the one that gets the most sun. Some of our understory is dying back early, bracken fern and whatever that low-laying ground cover is.