FALL FOLIAGE UPDATES

Fall Color Fading, November 11, 2009

Scott’s home is Table Rock State Park located on Scenic Highway 11, so he will have a front row seat to nature’s show of colors.

You can also check out our Table Rock webcam so you can see the color change for yourself!

Nov 11, 2009

The first full weekend in November brought superb weather to the mountains and many folks took advantage of the very comfortable conditions to get outside and enjoy the post-peak color that is quickly passing away. High elevations stand dark with little or no foliage remaining while trees at lower areas hang on a little longer. As more leaves keep floating to the forest floor every day, soon the hills will take on its dormant winter appearance.

Most of the lingering foliage is on the oaks. Most oaks are now shades of brown with some dark reds mixed in. A few will stubbornly hold on to withered clusters into the winter season. American Beech trees that grow near streams and bottomlands retain many of their curled leaves and won’t give them up until spring is at the doorstep again. This provides splashes of tan to offset the dark surroundings of trunks, limbs, and evergreens.

With the steady rains ushered into the upstate by the remnants of Hurricane Ida, many more leaves will be stripped and return to the soil to become nutrients for future vegetation. The curtain is being closed on another autumn show. The annual episode may not last long but it always provides a worthwhile display to relish before another year comes to an end.

Nov 4, 2009

The peak of color that came so suddenly just over a week ago is now on its rapid downhill slide. The post-peak changes can be noticed daily as we head towards winter. Outside of a few isolated bright red and yellow trees, the landscape is a collection of muted colors. Most of the hickories that were such a rich, golden yellow are now a caramel brown. In fact, brown is dominating the scene now that the oaks have joined in the mix but even a patchwork of brown tones is beautiful. Only the highest ridges and peaks are starting to look a bit bare in places so there are still plenty of leaves to enjoy even though it is no longer the brilliant display we recently witnessed.

Some of the best looking trees are the smaller maples but their leaves are starting to fall. At this point in the season, some of the better views for color may be the close looks of individual trees along roads and trails compared to the broad sweeping vistas. The weather outlook for this first week of November is favorable for getting out and enjoying the final act that this grand stage provides. No rain and a lack of strong winds may serve up a nice weekend to observe the ever-changing autumn. Yes, the popular peak of color is past, but the forest still offers a worthy attraction before most of the leaves disappear.

October 28, 2009

If you have not yet made your way to the mountains, now is the time. At the end of last week it was as if a switch was flipped and the peak of fall color was almost upon us.

The best new bright colors are provided by the intense golden-yellow hickories and the maples that sport yellows, oranges, and reds. Despite more rain, the leaves of most trees have been holding on fairly well, but just as we could not hurry the oncoming color, neither can we make the colors linger. Nature’s cycles will follow its own schedule.

Most of the dogwoods and sourwoods are still looking great, but tulip poplars are one species that are rapidly having their yellow leaves turn brown or fall off. Some hickories are also showing a tinge of brown to some leaves. However, the peak should be good at least through the end of the month and perhaps a bit longer, depending on weather. As always, post peak will belong to the oaks as they show off their deeper reds, russets, and browns while the other brighter hardwood colors begin to fade away in November.

With winter not very far off, get out and enjoy the peak of autumn by going on a hike, camping, having a picnic, or taking a drive as we are surrounded by one of the most beautiful times of the year.

October 21, 2009

Another week of October has come and gone as we await the peak of color to arrive. A broad view of the mountains is showing more subtle changes to much of the forest.

Besides stands of pines, the shades of green are fast losing their dominance but the major color explosion has still not taken place. A drive through the upstate will still be worth your time as there are areas providing a good show. Red dogwood and sourwood foliage is persisting as the canopy trees strive to join in the color display and higher ridges continue to exhibit brighter leaves as the days go by.

Recently, we finally had overnight temperatures in the low 30’s and a string of milder, sunny days has been on tap this week. This should help to trigger some brighter colors over the next few days. The drier, crisper air that moved in this week is finally making it feel more like autumn. These last days of October will usher in the final push for peak color. It may come and go quickly but the best viewing likely will occur sometime from the 28th through the first week of November.

October 14, 2009

As we reach the middle of October, one can notice that bigger changes are on the horizon. Literally.

Looking at the mountain slopes, the broad expanse of dark green is fading now with some areas along the ridge tops showing tinges of yellow and red. Color change begins on the ridges and gradually works its way down. Forest edges continue to show more color for drivers, boaters, and hikers to view. The reason these lower elevations with more level terrain appear to have a good amount of color, is mainly because the forest is fragmented by roads, lakes, fields, and development. These openings reveal understory trees such as dogwoods and sourwoods that keep their red leaves for several weeks, combined with the taller yellow tulip poplars and a few showy maples.

The majority of the upper regions below the already changing higher ridges are made up of oaks and hickories that show color a bit later. That’s why these larger areas of unbroken forest still display a good amount of green, although it is starting to slowly change as chlorophyll in the leaves continues to break down.

So far, October has had a good amount of rainy days and clouds with most low temperatures staying in the 50’s. If weather patterns turn and provide sunnier, warm days and cooler nights, the color display will increase and can become more brilliant. Over the next two weeks, fall foliage should undergo a more rapid change as it nears the peak of color.

October 7, 2009

At the end of this first week of October, the trees as a whole are retaining their green garb. Scanning a mountain slope, highway corridor, or a lake shoreline will reveal random splashes of color provided by individual trees or perhaps a small pocket of hardwoods that may be showing early color due to some kind of stress. As daylight hours continue to shrink away and overnight low temperatures dip lower, additional tree species will shut off their photosynthesis process. This causes green chlorophyll to break down and fade away, revealing the once masked pigments we anticipate each fall.

If the recent frequent overcast skies and rain gives way to warmer, sunny days with some chillier nights above freezing, this will help foster a decent colorful display. Currently, the main color is still the reds of dogwoods and sourwoods that stand out well against a green background of larger canopy trees. When the oaks, hickories, and maples start to join in the array in earnest, we will be on our way to the peak of autumn color.

September 30, 2009

With summer behind us, we eagerly look forward to those crisp days and increasing colors in the landscape.

This transformation takes several weeks to complete as it teases viewers little by little through the days of October. Some trees do not wait for October, however. During the month of September, a few trees begin to lead the color parade. Dogwoods and Sourwoods give us a taste of what is to come as they show us shades of red in their leaves. The reds of the dogwoods are further enhanced by the clusters of bright red fruits that squirrels and migrating songbirds relish. Looking along roadsides and forest edges, you can see the early display on some of these understory trees.

Tulip Poplars also start early and display yellow leaves but it can be short lived. Presently, Tulip Poplars have a mix of yellow and brown leaves which are beginning to shed already. The recent heavy rains have also helped to weaken and strip some leaves. A few Sweet Gums have also turned deep reddish-purple and stand out well against the green foliage of surrounding vegetation. The majority of our forests are still green but with each passing week the picture will gradually change as the peak of color approaches by the end of the month or perhaps in early November.