In this Cottage Life article, Ian Laidlaw from Davey's Ottawa office talks about how recent climate conditions have caused fall leaves to change early in Ontario. 

Posted: September 09, 2025

Rows of trees with yellow foliage in a grassy fieldFall enthusiasts may be disappointed with this season’s changing leaves. Drought conditions are likely to leave Ontario’s trees less than vibrant.

“With both the heat and the drought this summer, the colours most likely will be more dull,” says Ian Laidlaw, the Ottawa area manager of the Davey Tree Expert Company. “Because of our ever changing climate, the temperatures are going up and down like crazy, so it’s really starting to impact the trees in a negative way.”

High temperatures combined with low rainfall have put serious stress on many of Ontario’s trees. Laidlaw explains that the lack of water causes duller colours such as yellows or browns. It also causes the leaves to change colour earlier in the season. Without ample water, trees stop the production of chlorophyll, the chemical process that keeps leaves green.

“I’ve got a property on the Quebec side that overlooks the Gatineau hills and the leaves are already changing colour,” he says.

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For more information, contact the Ottawa 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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