In this DenGarden article, Jay Judd from Davey's East Denver office explains five common causes of brown tree leaves and how to identify the signs of drought, disease and pest damage.

Posted: October 01, 2026

Seeing brown leaves on your trees can be unsettling—especially when they appear in the middle of the growing season rather than right before the leaves are supposed to drop. But brown foliage doesn’t automatically mean your trees is dying.

“Tree leaves turning brown can be alarming, but it’s often due to common causes like drought, disease or damage from pests,” says Jay Judd, district manager and arborist for Davey Tree in East Denver. Figuring out what’s causing the discoloration is the first step toward determining whether your tree needs some extra water, pest or disease treatment—or simply a little time. 

However, there isn’t one universal explanation for brown tree leaves. Where and when the browning appears, along with other symptoms on the foliage, can help point you toward the culprit. If your tree leaves are turning brown before fall, here are five common causes to consider.

A close view of small branches and dark colored leaves.

To continue reading Jay's advice, click here. 

For more information, contact the East Denver office. 

More from Jay Judd:

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

DSC 0210 4928X3280 E35Ca0B
Davey In The News

Drought & Heat Can Change the Color of Ontario Leaves Early

Why are my leaves changing early? In this Cottage Life article, Dan Sharp from Davey's Victoria office says heat and drought stress can cause fall color to show up earlier. 
Read More
Screenshot 2026 10 01 143530
Davey In The News

Fall Color in Detroit May Be Muted Due To Dry Summer

Wondering when fall colors will arrive in Detroit? Arborist Luke Brunner from Detroit says that dry and hot summer weather may push fall color peak to October. 
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!