If you've noticed leaf edges turning brown and crisp on a tree that looked fine in June, the cause is often leaf scorch rather than a pest or disease. Once temperatures climb into the mid-90s and stay there, a tree can lose water through its leaves faster than its roots can pull moisture back in, especially in the compact Piedmont clay soil common throughout Upstate SC yards.
Trees planted near driveways, pavement, or south-facing walls tend to show scorch first, since reflected heat pushes leaf temperatures even higher than the air around them. Younger trees and anything planted within the last few years are more vulnerable simply because their root systems haven't spread wide enough yet to keep up with summer demand.
Scorch on its own usually isn't fatal, but it's worth having a professional take a look, since the same symptoms can also point to root compaction or a watering problem that's worth catching before it becomes a bigger issue next season.
Have you noticed any browning or curling leaves on your trees this summer, especially on the side that gets the most afternoon sun?
#UpstateSC #TreeCare
Close-up photo of leaf scorch symptoms on a tree from a recent job, browned or crisped leaf edges, ideally with the tree's location near pavement or a south-facing wall visible for context. Authentic job photos preferred over stock imagery.
Canva text suggestion: "Brown Leaf Edges? That's Heat Stress" or "Signs Your Tree Is Struggling With The Heat"