Green leaves

You've probably noticed, there are a lot of leaves that have yet to change colors - and most of them are still hanging on. The mild weather conditions this fall may be nice for us - but not so good for our environment.

This is kinda an unfamiliar sound this fall. Not that it ever is -but raking has been low on the weekend chore list this autumn. If you haven't noticed many leaves are still green and hanging on for dear life. Certified arborist Noreen Riordan from Summit Tree and Landscape isn’t surprised about this year green autumn.

 “It is unusual, it's based on the temperatures we've been having, we haven’t had a series of cool nights - the shorter days have arrived but not the cool nights,” says Riordan.

Temperature wise - last month was eight degrees about normal - making it the fourth warmest October in recorded history. Statistics that are fooling the trees.

“So what you're saying is that the juices are flowing and you need some cold nights to stop it. Am I right?”

“You're exactly.”

The nicer weather may keep you from raking up in the backyard and may extend your outdoor activities...but that isn't always a good thing. If this becomes a yearly trend - a changing climate means a changing environment.

“Well I suppose you would have a lot more pests to deal with.  Insects could hang on later that would be harmful to plants and trees,” says Riordan.

For now it’s staying ahead of Mother Nature for Noreen and crew. And no doubt the cold will come and we all will be enjoying autumn with rake in hand.

Some experts think with the current climate situation that Rochester could be more like a northern Georgia climate in the future.