COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — Have you noticed that some of the trees are starting to change colors a bit, and dropping leaves already? If you thought this was a bit early, you are correct, and there is one main culprit, the lack of rain.
Trees are stressed
It is no shock that trees need water. With 3/4 of Ohio considered “abnormally dry” and 38% of the state under drought conditions (through Aug. 27’s drought monitor), we are in desperate need of rain.
In fact, some parts of the state are under a level 4 out of 4, or “exceptional drought” for the first time in the state’s history since record-keeping for the drought started in 2000. This is putting a lot of stress on the trees, and that is what we are noticing with the leaves changing color to yellow or brown on some trees, and leaves falling off other trees already.
Drought conditions across West Virginia impacting fall foliage
The summer months of June, July, and August were some one of the driest periods on record here in Columbus.