I think this massive leaf drop from our Sycamore comes more from heat stress than from change of season. All the other trees are still summer green. However, the leaves suddenly fell off this tree after the single 52° day following a 4 day stretch of 100° and above. It was 90° once again today. However, the 70's are forecast for this coming week. That will be more normal for this time of year.
My fear is that the temperature will abruptly drop to freezing with little warning. At this point, nothing would surprise me. So, I'm starting to move some of my flowers on the deck back into the Solar Room. Hibiscuses suffer significantly if tempts dip below 50°. Freezing weather may seem to an odd thing to be thinking about when it was 106° just 4 days ago. But weather can turn on a dime in the Midwest. Especially in the Spring and Fall when there can be a 50-degree swing in temperatures in the same day.
Right now, the lawn needs to be mowed. Tomorrow, who knows what will be?
Copyrighted Image. DO NOT DOWNLOAD, copy, reproduce, or use in any way without written permission from Elizabeth Bickel.