PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – With temperatures hovering around 60 degrees in August, it feels like it’s leaf change season outside, even though it’s still summer. And if you feel like the leaves are changing color prematurely, it could be a sign of tree stress, according to a local expert.

Pennsylvania’s trees put on a special show as the seasons change. Western Pennsylvania typically reaches fall color in mid- to late October, with splashes of red, yellow, and orange before the trees drop their leaves. However, some people may see these colors earlier than usual.

“If you notice that a tree, or maybe several trees, are losing their leaves particularly early, or that they’re starting to change their fall color, and nothing else is happening, then you really want to say, ‘There’s something going on,'” says Cindy Starr Stewart, owner of Monster Tree Service in North Pittsburgh.

Stewart says it could be a sign that a tree is under stress due to too much or too little water, root damage or disease.

“There are several things you might want to have an arborist look at to say, ‘Is there something going on that’s putting this stress on my tree?'” Stewart said.

For example, maple trees often develop a root belt.

“To get to the bottom and remove the malt, you may have to dig up the root collar. And then we may have to do a little surgery,” Stewart said.

Stewart says this is a good time to call a certified arborist to inspect your trees.

“It’s never too late. It’s never too late. Trees are living things,” Stewart said.

In order for them to grow healthy and strong, they need to be pruned and have good soil.

“By giving your trees a professional deep root fertilization, you can really make a difference for their health,” Stewart said.

“Put some leaves or something like that around the trunks of your trees, that helps a bit. Get some grass clippings so the trees get more nutrients,” Stewart says.