Fresh green sprouted them and showed off their most beautiful side for the first few months. Now the summer sun is beating down in full force and the beech tree seems weakened because it has dropped a few leaves. What's behind it?
Why does the beech tree lose its leaves in summer?
The causes of leaf drop in summer are oftenDry stressandHeatThe beech tree sheds leaves in order to minimize moisture loss through them and to be able to survive. Butpests,diseasesand anutrient deficiency can also manifest themselves in premature leaf loss.
When do beech leaves usually fall off?
Usually the leaves of the beech tree onlyin winter gradually fall off. However, if the winter was quite mild for the beech, the leaves can even remain until spring and only fall off with the new shoots. Basically they hang on the shoots for a very long time, even if they are already brown.
What is the most common cause of leaf loss in beech trees?
The most common cause behind the premature loss of leaves on the beech tree in summer isDrought If heat is added, the beech tree protects itself by shedding some of its leaves, which would otherwise contain too much moisture would evaporate, which she needs for her survival. This leaf fall as a protective mechanism occurs in both the common beech and the copper beech.
How can you tell if a beech tree is about to lose leaves?
As a rule, the leaves of the beech tree initially turn brown before they graduallydry up and are finally thrown off. But that is not always the case: if the beech tree is under enormous drought stress, it also sheds green leaves. Otherwise it wouldn't do that because the green leaves still contain chlorophyll, which is normally transported out of the leaves before they are shed.
Can pests cause beech trees to drop leaves?
Pestscan also cause the beech tree to drop its leaves in summer. The gall mite and the beech mealybug are particularly worth mentioning. You can recognize the beech mealybug, for example, by white wax threads on the underside of the leaves. Later the leaves curl up, dry up and are dropped.
Which diseases can cause beech trees to drop leaves?
TheLeaf spot diseaseandMildew can cause beech trees to drop their leaves in summer. You can recognize the former disease by yellow or brown spots on the leaves. Later the leaves curl up and fall off. Powdery mildew is noticeable through a whitish coating on the leaves. If the leaves are completely consumed by the fungus, they are thrown off.
Can a lack of nutrients contribute to beech leaf drop?
Lack of nutrients in the soilcan sooner or later result in leaf drop in the summer months. This is often indicated by a few yellow leaves on the beech tree.
Can beech leaf loss be prevented?
Beech leaf lossCan be prevented The right choice of location and care are particularly important. To avoid drought stress, the beech should be watered abundantly and, ideally, mulched. A nutrient deficiency is prevented by fertilizer. To avoid pest infestation on the common beech and the spread of diseases, you should inspect the plant regularly.
Tip
Give liters of water in dry and hot weather
If drought and heat are behind the loss of leaves, you should not water the beech every day, but rather every few days and thoroughly. Hold the garden hose directly on the root area of the beech tree and let the water run for several minutes.
