An odd thing.

[EndlessWire]

I have a tree in the front yard that drops its leaves in the winter. It's pretty old, and I have forgotten what kind of tree it is.

This year, it did not drop its leaves. It looks like it plans to skip the winter and go straight to Spring. That's okay with me, but I have never heard of a tree doing that. I'm not superstitious, but I take it as a good sign, except that I hope it's not a last hurrah. I think the tree is confused.

I was going to remove this tree. Time marches on. But, now I might have to see what happens to it. I sure hope my neighbors don't see me talking to this tree. It's a rather complex situation, yet very simple at the same time. What happens to the new leaves it needs? If there are more leaves than ever, how much more will the tree need in nutrients to survive?

Life is a mystery. There is a scientist somewhere who knows these answers, but I don't. There is always something new to learn. The climate is definitely changing. The vegetation and insects that make our world viable are getting confused. The calendar is changing, the seasons are changing. Have to find a fit in there, somehow.

[genxlib]

1. As someone who lives in a warm weather climate

I can tell you they will fall. As soon as the new ones are ready to sprout, anything still on the tree gets the heave.

At least in my experience.

The obvious question is whether this is the result of Climate Change.

[EndlessWire]

9. Well

It's not normal for this tree. It's usually bare by this time.

[mercuryblues]

2. Did the leaves turn brown

and not fall off as normal?

[EndlessWire]

7. No

They are very green.

[mercuryblues]

14. Your weather did not get cold enough

for a long enough period of time to put it in hibernation.

Basically the cooler weather signals the tree to stop producing chloroform. Which gives the leave vibrant colors in the fall. It also produces cells which forces the tree to drop it's leaves. If your weather is warm enough your tree would not go through this process.

Another reason is you may have too much nitrogen in your soil. It will make the tree focus on growing and disrupt the hibernation.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/why-leaves-did-not-fall-off-tree.htm

[wishstar]

3. Here W.N.C., several tree species only drop their leaves when new ones grow out in spring

I have several around the edges of my property that hold on all winter. Winters are getting crazier here with often below freezing at night but 50's to 60's in daytime causing our old roof nails to work their way out due to the extreme freezing and thawing.

[world wide wally]

4. One of those survival techniques only the trees know

It just bought another year

[EndlessWire]

11. LOL!

Well, since I'm not now going to remove it, it did a good job! Winner!

[BillyBobBrilliant]

5. The Live Oak Tree

Native here in Texas, is just dropping it's leaves now, as it does every year this time. They will grow back in full force over the next month.
Some species have a different agenda than others.

[EndlessWire]

10. I used to know all the names of the tree species

on the property, but I no longer do. I do notice differences in what they are doing.

[abqtommy]

6. If you're talking to trees you have a lot of good company. And the bonus is that I believe the

trees are listening! If you're skeptical, read the books The Secret Life Of Plants* and The Hidden Life
Of Trees**. (just for a start...)

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Life_of_Plants

** (Link to article about the author of the book The Hidden Life Of Trees and covers the book also.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Wohlleben

disclaimer: I've been talking to and hugging trees most of my life. They make good therapists and
have never sent me a bill... I don't receive any commissions on the sale of these books.

[EndlessWire]

8. Thank you

for the links!

[abqtommy]

13. You're welcome. There was a time when this was news to me and I'm happy to share.

[Wounded Bear]

12. Actually, plants do get confused...

A lot of their reactions are temperature based, so if you get a warm winter, things like this might happen.

Looks like we're getting an early spring here in Western WA.