It's the end of August, and autumn is still weeks away.

So why are some trees already starting to change colors?

We talked to Eau Claire City Forester Todd Chwala and he says, the changes don't mean fall peak is just around the corner.

He says it's a sign your trees are stressed.

And if the color changes are happening on trees next to the street, there's a reason for that.

It's not hard to pick out trees like this while driving around the area.
The typical green leaves are giving us a preview of the fall colors to come. But that's not necessarily a good thing.

"We're seeing some early fall coloration, and that's more likely a sign, an indicator of environmental stress", Chwala says.

He told us the last four summers have been dry, and some trees have actually learned to go dormant early.

"This condition's been built for the last three years, and it takes a little time to get their moisture levels back to where they should be", he said.

He says that's one reason these colors could start popping, weeks before the traditional fall peak.

But Chwala says those trees next to the boulevards, avenues and streets are especially vulnerable to stress.

"We really are asking a lot of our urban trees."

Chwala says many trees in the city we're planted right next to the street, and that can mean extreme fluctuations in temperature for the roots under asphalt and concrete.

And winter doesn't do any favors for trees in the city.
Chwala says road salt builds up around trees, and can cause problems later in the year.

He says the best defense for stressed trees, is to water slow and deep, at least once a month during dry periods.

And before we know it, healthy trees will be showing off their fall costumes.

"Fall coloration in the leaves on trees, sometimes folks attribute that to "jack frost". However that's not the case. Trees take their cue from the shortened day length. The shortened day length reduces the production of chlorophyll, which brings out the natural colors of the leaves, the yellows and reds we see in the fall."

Chwala says the peak time for fall colors in the Eau Claire area is right around early to mid October.

To check on the progress around the state, the Travel Wisconsin fall color report is already updating.

You can find it by logging on to weau.com, just click on featured links.