Odd looking trees along M115

[Erin M]

Hi everybody,

I've driven between Ann Arbor and Traverse City several times in the last month and a half, and I've noticed something odd. In several areas along M 115 between Farwell and Mesick have big swatches of trees that look like they're still in April- the leaves don't seem to be fully spread and they still have that very yellow-green look to them. There's actually a similar looking group of trees along the northwest part of Long Lake near Traverse City. Does anyone know what's causing this?

[George Hammond]

I read a news article recently that said there had been pretty big outbreaks of forest tent caterpillars in the northwestern Lower Peninsula. Trees that are substantially defoliated early in the growing season can sometimes produce a second flush of leaves. Maybe that's what's happening there? Just a guess.

[BrickAndMoss]

Most likely its caused by the fact that we had a really bad winter, then it warmed up early, enough to the break dormancy of the the trees, but not enough to melt water so that the trees don't suffer from dehydration.

This is a problem that is occurring more and more as global warming causes our normal seasonal changes to become unpredictable.

[Erin M]

Thanks guys! How would either of those scenarios effect the long term health of the trees? Are they going to be permanently effected, or can they recover if they have a good year next year?

[George Hammond]

I've read that trees in reasonably good health can handle a at least one serious defoliation by insects without any long-term consequences.