In this Southern Living article, Lukas Suzano from Davey's Nashville office talks about the early-changing leaves and how heat and drought stress are affecting trees. 

Posted: September 23, 2025

A skinny tree with yellow and orange colored leaves.The view through my window says fall has arrived, but one step out the door and I’m singing a different tune. So, to throw it back to 90s-speak, what gives? While cooler temperatures are one factor that causes green leaves to melt into oranges and yellows a wee bit early, there are more elements at play, particularly when leaves in the South start dropping when the kids have only just headed back to school.

“There are several reasons why the leaves begin to change before ‘sweater weather’ hits our region,” says Lukas Suzano, arborist with Nashville Davey Tree. “Fall weather arrives later in the South than in northern parts of the US, so if you’re noticing particularly early leaf color change (for the South, this might be late August or early September), it may be caused by stress factors.”

Suzano is here to help you determine if your leaves are crying for help or simply giving you an early show, along with what all this might mean when true fall finally does arrive.

To continue reading this article, click here. 

For more information, contact the Nashville office. 

The Davey Tree Expert Company 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. Established in 1880 and headquartered in Kent, Ohio, Davey has over 12,000 employees who create and deliver sustainable solutions. Davey continues to grow through expertise with the SEED Campus, its newest commitment to training, research and safety. Become part of the Davey legacy by applying today and join one of the top ten largest employee-owned companies in the U.S.

Other News Posts

Screenshot 2026 04 14 113552
Davey In The News

Davey Tree Helps Plant 'Triples for Trees' with Detroit Tigers

Sandee Reid, executive vice president, corporate communications and strategic planning, shares how the 'Triples for Trees' program planted 32 trees in Detroit this week increasing the air quality and urban canopy coverage for the community.
Read More
Screenshot (28)
Davey In The News

Controlled burn makes way for new life in Trumbull County, Ohio

Tom Becker from Davey Resource Group (DRG), a subsidiary of The Davey Tree Expert Company, talks about how the controlled burn that DRG held at the Air Heritage Trail will benefit the landscape and stimulate growth.
Read More
Two Employees (1)
Two Employees (1)

Get In Touch With Us!

We pride ourselves at Davey Tree on providing prompt, professional and personalized service from certified arborists that live, work and engage in your community. Contact one of our Davey Tree specialists for your residential, commercial, utility, or environmental needs.

Let's Find What
You're Looking For!