Question
QUESTION: A red maple 15+ ft tall was green when I left Jacksonville, FL for 10 day holiday this June.  When I returned the leaves were brown and falling off. What would make a tree turn brown and leaves to fall off so quickly?
It does have a split about 10 inches long and 3 inches wide where the wood is dead I assumed I assumed termites, but the tree leaved out very well this spring.  It was hot while we were gone but we have irrigation and our sone told us that it rained/showered at least every day.

ANSWER: Kaye:
The split with exposed dead tissues may represent some level of internal decay to the tree. I expect that this has been going on for some time. This will more than likely become significant and require tree removal.  There may be a good chance that the summer heat and possible decline in soil moisture may have been too much strain on the foliage. This could lead to defoliation. Scratch a few smaller twigs with your fingernail and look for green tissue beneath. Try a few twigs that you can reach. If you see green, then you may get some releaf if the soil moisture is restored.

Regards
Steve

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maple wound   QUESTION: I scratched several twigs and they were green.  So maybe the tree will releaf.  is there anything that i can do for the wounded area?

Answer
Kaye:
Unfortunately not. The decay is progressive. The only thing to do is be sure it gets watered and fertilized appropriately to help it hang on as long as possible, but one day it will succumb- usually during a wind or ice storm when the tree fails. Unless you have a special attachment to the tree, you may want to consider a replacement so you can enjoy a long time. When you plant trees, keeping lawnmowers and string trimmers away from the tree can go a long way in preserving the beauty by preventing damage to that protective layer- the bark.  These kinds of yard equipment are death sentences on trees and shrubs.

Regards
Steve