Q The leaves on our Japanese maple usually turn red before dropping. But last year the leaves turned beige and stayed on the tree all winter. What happened? Sherry Lesiak POWELL, OHIO

Melinda: sudden the normal drop Blame process in temperature it on of the leaves weather. can turning prevent A color in autumn and then falling from the tree. Gradual cooling allows the trees to form a barrier, called the abscission layer, between the leaves and twigs, which helps the leaves detach. When we have a warmer than normal fall followed by a sudden or extreme drop in temperature, plants can’t always completely form the abscission layer. The leaves eventually turn brown and remain on the tree.