Many trees in the Twin Lakes Area have shown signs of browning earlier than normal.
According to Ayden Massey, Public Information Officer for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, trees are currently faced with the challenge of surviving high temperatures and if a tree doesn’t have enough stored energy to get through the heat, a sudden death might occur.
Due to increased rainfall, many trees in the area experienced a period of rapid growth. With the excessive heat and no additional moisture, the trees have to support the extra growth and leaf area. With the increased water and energy loss, tree may wilt or lose leaves rapidly to cope.
Massey states, “For example, an oak may change colors or lose leaves before it loses all of its stored energy, but if the tree can’t properly shut down photosynthesis, then the tree will turn brown and die.”
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