Tricky Tree Question

Here is my last tree-hugger post of the year.  Actually it is the last post of the year regardless of topic.  I hope you have enjoyed the year and Russ and I appreciate the readership and the kind words both in the comment section and when we run into people in the street.  Since it was an election year, readership was up, up, up, so thanks for that as well.

Now that tricky tree question.  I see these maple trees around town.  Some still have their all of their leaves and some don't.  That is tricky enough to understand, but how about these two at the end of my street.  They are side-by-side and are exactly the same age, yet one is full and the other has been bare for weeks.  Why is that?

While you ponder that, please have a safe and happy New Year's Eve and 2016!

Comments

[Peter Garrison]

The bare tree blocked the early frost wind that has now touched the red tree which will soon be bare in its turn.

[Jennifer]

I have no idea if it is true, or not, but a long time ago, I read that early on in nursery life, the pattern of shedding leaves for deciduous plants gets embedded to their locations within said nurseries, so that even when ultimately, the trees are planted in their new "home" location, they can retain the habits started in the from the seeding years.

[Joe]

I don't think so, Pete. Jennifer's point may be a factor. I'm hoping some expert sees this at some point.

[[email protected]]

From what I have read, the fall of leaves has to do with air temperature and hours of daylight.
Possible micro environment factors may have an impact on individual trees.

[Joe]

It would have to be a super micro-micro climate to have different effects 15 feet apart!

[[email protected]]

OK Joe.

[hillsider]

Up here in the hills the trees have to be at least 25 feet apart to be in a different micro environment.

[Cathy Baylock]

I have watched this set of trees since they were planted in the late 90's. I believe the end one retains its leaves longer because the sun is not blocked by the adjacent condo building (these trees are on its north side), so, basically, winter comes earlier for them. Joe, you should really ask your wife these questions over dinner...

[Peter Garrison]

Talked to local tree expert from advanced tree care: these are Liquid Amber. The frost is what makes the leaves turn color and the turning color is what makes the leaves fall off. But because these are Liquid Amber it could be anything including even soil conditions. So expert says I'm righter...

[[email protected]]

Time to move on.
The important thing that happens here in Burlingame is the re-forestation project that Mr. Disco has pushed forward for many years.
I believe that the park department does not plant Liquid Ambers anymore due to the high rate of property damage.
Cars, sidewalk, homes, and lawsuits.
Nevertheless, please get conformation from Joe before considering my theory.

[Jennifer]

Holly you are right regarding the liquid ambers no longer being planted-- there are some beautiful examples of these around town, and the birds love those wooden space-age looking kernel things (but alas, pedestrians do not like stepping on them). The trees in the photos are indeed liquid amber planted in the 1990s to landscape that condo project at Newlands and ECR. And I'm willing to buy the frost theory, because they might get slightly different exposure because of cast shadow, or something, but who knows...

[pat giorni]

Lquid amber, aka Monkey Ball tree, and pictured to the right appears to be a Black Acacia, both trees on the hit list...as in those species will never be replanted as City trees once they're removed.