Marion county residents may have noticed that their trees are already dropping leaves. Dale Miller, Program Director for the Marion County Extension Office, tells KNIA/KRLS News that this is a response to drought that occurred last year as well. As trees lose much of their water through their leaves, the shedding is an adaptive response. A tree may lose up to half of it’s leaves without creating undue stress, however, if the tree has been planted in the last three years, they may require special care. Miller recommends that for these younger trees, water deep once a week.