If a live oak or magnolia on your property has leaves that look pale yellow with the veins staying dark green, that's usually not a watering problem. It's a classic sign of iron chlorosis, which shows up often in Houston's heavy clay soils that run alkaline.
High soil pH locks up iron in the ground so tree roots can't absorb it, even when there's plenty in the soil itself. Left alone for a few seasons, chlorotic trees lose vigor, produce smaller leaves, and become more vulnerable to pests and disease.
The fix usually isn't more fertilizer, it's correcting how the tree can access the iron that's already there. Our certified arborists can confirm chlorosis versus other causes and recommend the right soil treatment for the species and site.
Have you noticed any of your trees with leaves that look washed out or pale yellow this time of year? It's worth a second look before the tree loses too much energy heading into fall.
#HoustonTreeCare
A close-up photo of chlorotic leaves showing the pale yellow blade with dark green veins, ideally paired with a healthy leaf from the same species for comparison.
Canva text suggestion: "Pale leaves, dark veins: what your tree is telling you" or "Houston clay soil can starve trees of iron"