Unseasonably Warm Weather Causes Early Tree Budding Across Iowa

Experts warn the return to winter temperatures could damage the tender leaves.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Last week's unseasonably warm weather in the 60s and 70s caused many trees across Iowa to start budding, which is way too early according to Tivon Feeley, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' forest health program leader. The return to winter weather and temperatures in the 20s will spell trouble for those tiny, tender leaves, as the leaf tissue can freeze and cause damage when the leaves emerge.

Why it matters

Premature budding due to warm weather can be harmful to trees, as the tender leaves that emerge are vulnerable to cold injury and damage when temperatures drop again. This can impact the overall health and photosynthesis of the trees, although experts say there should be no long-term threat.

The details

Feeley explains that the leaf tissue that's emerged is very fragile and can freeze, causing the leaves to turn brown and fall out later in the spring and summer as a delayed response to the cold injury. While the current buds aren't the only ones the trees will generate, leaves are vital to tree health and the budding is occurring much earlier than normal.

  • Last week, temperatures reached the 60s and 70s across Iowa.
  • Temperatures have now returned to the 20s.

The players

Tivon Feeley

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources' forest health program leader.

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What they’re saying

“We know that leaf tissue that's very fragile can freeze, and when that happens, it'll cause damage to those leaves when they emerge. They may emerge green and look healthy, but as we get warmer in June, early July, that tissue will turn brown and fall out.”

— Tivon Feeley, Forest health program leader (kbur.com)

The takeaway

This early budding caused by unseasonably warm weather is a concerning sign of climate change's impact on Iowa's trees, highlighting the vulnerability of tender plant life to sudden temperature swings. While experts say there should be no long-term threat, the incident underscores the need to monitor and protect Iowa's forests as the climate continues to shift.