The wet, rainy summer has been difficult for some young trees in Windsor and Essex County.
The soggy weather has tricked them into thinking its autumn. Some may be changing colour and losing their leaves already.
Terry Fink, LaSalle’s director of Recreation and Culture says many trees are in distress because their feet are wet. That’s a forestry term to describe when a tree is drowning.
“The water cuts the oxygen off to the upper limbs,” says Fink. “The tree goes into survival mode, and it starts dropping leaves very early.”
At the Vollmer Complex in LaSalle dozens of the new saplings planted in the last three to five years are struggling to survive.
“Our tulip and black cherry trees are dying,” says Fink.
It’s only impacting the young trees, ones that haven't had a chance to develop better roots are stressed.
“When we talk mature trees, take the umbrella, that’s how far the roots are out,” says Fink. “They have other roots that are dry, and they can still feed the leaves.”
Short of ripping all the trees and moving them to higher ground, Mother Nature is the only cure. No more rain, lots of sun and a strong breeze can turn this around.
“A lot of people get frustrated, saying my trees not growing, its only because it’s trying to establish itself,” says Bill Roesell, a forester with the City of Windsor.
Roesell urges residents to not give up on their saplings just because of this season, but he does have some advice for the next tree you plant.
“Plant the tree two to three inches higher than the grade, especially in claw ground because that gives the tree more of a chance to get the oxygen it needs. They will do a lot better,” says Roesell.
