Q - Since Memphis has had little rain, our maple trees (3-4 years old) are starting to show signs of stress with yellowing leaves. I've watered them (via slow trickle) but the yellowing continues and some of the leaves are falling off. Help!

Lou Ann

A --The tree is shedding its leaves prematurely because it is under stress, said Mark Follis, owner of Bluff City Tree Preservation.

Either it isn't getting enough water or it has been mulched too thickly and its shallow roots aren't able to breathe, he said. Trees such as maples, dogwoods and magnolia should only have a layer of mulch about 1-inch thick around the base.

Continue to water the the tree thoroughly but then be sure to give it time to dry out before watering it again.

Follis said giving a shallow-rooted tree too much mulch and continuous water is asking it to breathe through a wet towel. "It can't be done," he said.

You can give the tree a little organic fertilizer such as Tree Tone.