Burning Bush Changing Color Early?

Question:

My burning bush is changing color too early in the season. What is wrong with it?

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Beth from Portland, Maine

Answer:

Beth,

There is probably nothing wrong with your burning bushes-at least nothing that you should be worried about. In summers where temperatures have been above average, it isn't unusual for trees and shrubs to start turning color a bit earlier than normal. Higher temperatures can jump start their color cycle prematurely. Stress from too much or too little water can also do the same thing. In fact, any abnormal environmental stressors are capable of inducing this affect. In rare cases, insect or diseases can also throw off a shrub's color cycle, but it's far more likely that what you are seeing is due to some type of weather related stress.

Keep an eye on your bush and try to alleviate any environmental stressors you can control (like too little water) for the remainder of the growing season. Because your burning bush started its color cycle early, you can expect it to end earlier than normal, too. Hopefully any premature leaf loss will be minimal and your bush will return to a "normal" cycle by next year.

Ellen