Is the dry weather stressing our trees?

We're now nearing the end of September.

Arguably, one of the best times of the year is just ahead with the full arrival of fall colours.

A few weeks ago, against a backdrop of clouds near Halifax, I saw multiple pops of red, yellow and brown on trees.

I was surprised to see leaves change so early.

Of course, the peak of fall foliage in Atlantic Canada varies province-to-province.

Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick's fall colours often peak in late September and early October. In Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, the peak is usually during the second and third weeks of October — around and after Thanksgiving.

While it's not unusual to see some trees peak early, the amount of colour I witnessed seemed uncommon for the time of year.

Remember that leaves change colour because less daylight and cooler temperatures stop the food-making process, allowing chlorophyll to break down and change the colour of leaves.

But if a tree changes colour early, it could signal that it's under stress.

That stress can be caused by several factors, including root damage, insect infestations and disease.

The weather is another factor.

Hot temperatures and drought conditions can cause tremendous stress on trees. Given what I hear daily about low and dry wells, especially in Nova Scotia, our trees are likely suffering too.

On the flip side, too much rain can also cause stress on trees and an early frost can accelerate the process.

While it's hard to know for sure, the warm weather and lack of rain many of us have experienced could have caused some trees to change colour early.

Have you noticed anything similar?