In this The Columbus Dispatch article, Brian Heath from Davey's Columbus office and Michael Cassidy from Davey's West Columbus office talk about how dry conditions are turning leaves' color early. 

Posted: September 09, 2025

Fall-colored leaves close in frame, on the right and in front of a field of treesSome of central Ohio's trees have already begun changing to their fall colors just a few days into September, and it's not because autumn has come early, local arborists say.

An unusually dry August has stressed some trees, causing them to shut down and begin changing colors, according to Brian Heath, an arborist at Davey Tree.

The most common tree species changing early are maple trees, but other species such as tulip poplars and hackberries have also begun showing fall colors, said Michael Cassidy, a sales arborist at Davey Tree.

When do trees change color?

Historically, tree leaves would change in late October. But as temperatures get hotter, trees become stressed earlier in the year, making September color changes more common.

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For more information, contact the Columbus office and West Columbus office

The Davey Tree Expert Company, headquartered in Kent, Ohio, provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental and utility infrastructure consulting for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners in the U.S. and Canada. As one of the top ten largest employee-owned companies in the U.S., Davey's 12,000 employees have been dedicated to creating and delivering sustainable solutions since 1880. Apply today to join the Davey legacy, and learn about how we're growing with our new SEED Campus

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