Abstract
This study investigates the timing of leaf abscission in Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) trees along an urban-to-rural gradient in Louisville, Kentucky, to determine how proximity to urban environments influences leaf drop. We hypothesized that urban trees would retain their leaves longer than suburban or rural trees due to environmental stressors and tested this using weekly leaf collection and canopy cover measurements from three locations—urban, suburban, and rural. Results showed that urban trees exhibited delayed leaf drop and slower canopy opening compared to suburban and rural trees. These findings suggest that urban stressors significantly alter tree phenology, which may signal underlying stress with cascading ecological and societal impacts. Future research should investigate specific causes of these delays and strategies to mitigate stressors in urban forestry management.
Recommended Citation
Bastien, Isabella S. and Bastien, Isabella
(2025)
"Leaf Droppage Delayed in Sugar Maple Trees on an Urban to Rural Gradient,"
The Cardinal Edge: Vol. 3:
Iss.
1, Article 9.
Available at:
https://ir.library.louisville.edu/tce/vol3/iss1/9
Included in
Biology Commons, Forest Biology Commons, Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Plant Sciences Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons