Trees showing signs of deterioration

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Fall is still nearly two months away, but some leaves on trees are already falling and changing colors.

Experts say this early autumn-like appearance is a sign the drought is taking a very big toll on area trees.

According to Gregory Shaner of Tree Lafayette, young trees started showing drought stress several weeks ago. As the month of July progresses, more and more mature trees are beginning to lose leaves and undergo color changes.

The leaves are falling because of a dangerous lack of water being fed to the tree, and it's a sign the tree may be in grave danger.

"Over the next few years, we'll see dying limbs, we'll see tree mortality, just general weakened trees," Tree Lafayette's Gregory Shaner said. "A lot of these trees are surviving now, but they're not healthy."

Shaner said the real damage to the area trees will be noticed over the next couple of years.

Tree Lafayette would like to remind you in order to save the trees, they must be watered.

For ever inch and a half of trunk diameter, 15 to 20 gallons per week is needed to fight the severe drought.

Shaner also said very old and large trees require so much water that it may be unrealistic to water them. In that case, it's all up to mother nature and hoping she brings much needed rain.