Did Honey Locust Leaves Turn Brown Because Of Surrounding Rocks

Question From: N. Magee - Corvallis, Montana, United States
Q: I have a honey lotus it has turned yellow and know brown the leaves. A guy told me it was because it has rocks around it

A: Farmers have been putting rocks around trees for eons. I lived on 120 acres that had dozens of sugar maples that were surrounded with rocks. They are not over 100 years old. If it was planted at the proper depth, lack of water would be my guess. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy