Overwatering Tree Symptoms

Yellowing Leaves

• Paradoxically, just as trees can show stress by bearing yellowing leaves if they are under-watered, they can also exhibit a similar symptom if they have been over-watered. If the tree's leaves are yellowing and it's been getting water daily, the yellowing is less likely from a need for water and more likely from an over-abundance it.

Algae Growth

• Tress that get too much water can turn the soil into the perfect habitat for moisture-loving algae. If over-watering is suspected, study the soil at the base of the tree closely, as green algea can be hard to spot in dark soils. If algae is present, the tree probably has been over-watered.

Wilting

• If over-watering continues, the leaves will show the brunt of the damage and probably start to wilt. As with many of the symptoms, wilting leaves also can be a sign of water deficiency. Monitor the soil's moisture levels before assuming the plants are getting too much to drink. If the soil is moist each time it's checked, yet the tree's leaves are still wilting, over-watering is the likely culprit.

Brittle Leaves

• If over-watering continues for an extended, the leaves can suffer irreparable damage and begin to become brittle. This symptom usually comes after yellowing leaves and wilting and will appear if these initial signs of distress are ignored. If the leaves are brittle as a result of over-watering, the tree probably is in serious stress and will require immediate modification of watering techniques, cutting back substantially on the amount of fluid provided.