Yellowing followed by browning and death of outer leaf tissues and areas between the leaf veins. Narrow broadleaves such as rhododendron brown around the edges with area around main central vein remaining green. Needles such as on white pine turn brown from the tip back. Leaf scorch is not a disease but is caused by the leaves losing water faster than the plant can supply it. Since water reaches all the parts of the leaves through the veins, margins furthest away from the veins are affected first.
Symptoms usually appear after a period of hot, dry, windy weather.
It can also appear when the weather turns abruptly from an extended period of cloudy days to sunny and windy weather. Leaves may be affected over the entire tree or may affect only one side. Though scorch can be due solely to the weather, the condition of the roots of plants can make them much more susceptible to this condition. Shallow soils such as those over hardpan or rock lead to a limited root system that may not be able to absorb all the water needed. Also, root damage due to disease, insects, poor drainage or construction can also cause poor water uptake.