Leaf peepers take heart: Fall foliage show on schedule this year
Hickory trees are starting to turn yellow and black gums bright red as they work their way to a purplish tone.
So far this year, nature's autumn show is on schedule, though how spectacular the colors will be remains to be seen.
That's because of the early season dryness, according to Washington County Forester Aaron Cook.
Like last fall, the vivid colors some trees provide this time of year will be better seen if you go into the woods and see the "understory" — the area between the forest floor and the tree canopy, said Cook, who works for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Dry weather continued at the beginning of the year when trees were "leafing out and starting to grow" and it was still dry until about two to three weeks ago, Cook said. But it's not as dry as last year and the cold fronts, with overnight cold temperatures, that began in September have made the difference in getting natural autumn leaf colors started.
The earlier leaf color season, spotty in places during late July to mid-August, was caused by drought stress, Cook said. Trees under such duress cut off nutrients to some leaves, and from leaves to the tree, so there was some color change and loss of leaves.
The recent wind and rains also might have blown off some leaves starting to change color, Cook said.
If the Washington County region continues to get abundant sun, calm winds and colder temps overnight, the more traditional fall season could hang on for a while and even continue to Halloween or later, Cook said.
But if the area sees strong wind and rain, more leaves will come down early.
Cooks anticipates the colors will be more vibrant around Washington County around the week of Oct. 16.
If you don't want to wait or are looking for a different place to hike while enjoying the fall foliage, the colors at New Germany State Park in Garrett County were jaw-dropping last week, Cook said Tuesday. That area, about 1,000 feet higher in elevation than much of Washington County, is probably at the midpoint of its fall foliage season.
Garrett County has a lot more sugar maples than Washington County, whose ridges are mostly dominated by oak trees, Cook said. Most oaks don't put on a spectacular color show, although white oaks, with a whitish bark, can produce red or purple leaves. White oaks tend to grow in mixed stands on west or southwest facing slopes, so spotting them is hit or miss.
The natural resources department issues a weekly fall foliage report on Thursdays through its homepage at dnr.maryland.gov. The report from Sept. 29 states many Hagerstown Valley woodlots with black walnut and boxelder had started turning yellow.
West Virginia Tourism posts the state's Division of Forestry foliage map and has weekly fall foliage reports at wvtourism.com/seasons/fall. Fall foliage in the Eastern Panhandle is estimated to peak in late October.
Pennsylvania weekly fall foliage reports are available online through the state's Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Black gums have shades of red to orange in Buchanan State Forest as of the state's Oct. 6 report, with fall colors increasing in some areas of the Michaux State Forest.
Cook said the top of Blue Ridge Summit in Pennsylvania is at about peak color now, including purple and red ash trees that so far have survived the emerald ash borer. Happels Meadow Park features colorful ash trees.
Autumn show isn't just about trees
Nature's autumn show isn't just about vibrant colors in trees.
It's also a great time of year to catch the changing hues of vines, brambles, field weeds and other flowers such as Virginia creeper and poison ivy vines, blackberry brambles and goldenrod, Cook said.
There are field meadows near Blair's Valley Lake and likely near Antietam Creek at Antietam National Battlefield where walkers can spot such plants as well as colorful trees, he said.
October also is a great month for mushroom hunting — or at least noticing the variety of mushrooms growing on decomposing wood in local forests, Cook said.
"Everyone should be confident in positively identifying any mushroom before they attempt to consume it," Cook wrote in an email. "Mushrooms can be deadly, or cause life-altering damage to internal organs."
Regional events to capture fall foliage
You can catch the autumn color show at plenty of local, state and national parks and trails.
And while the topic might not be the changing colors of leaves, several fall events are expected to provide beautiful views of the foliage and landscape:
The Story Behind the Scenery at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park at noon on Mondays and Tuesdays through Nov. 27. On Arsenal Square in Lower Town with a view of wooded ridges surrounding the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, according to park spokesperson Leah Taber.
John Brown Monuments and Mythology at Harpers Ferry National HIstorical Park at 11 a.m. on Thursdays through Nov. 3. In historic Lower Town.
The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park's Four Locks guided walk at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Four Locks boat ramp off Starliper Road south of Clear Spring. This is a half-mile round-trip walk anticipated to take 90 minutes. Participants will learn how canal operations supported a local community.
The Autumn Glory Festival in the Oakland area in Garrett County from Oct. 12-16.
The Four Locks event should provide a beautiful view of the Potomac River and nature in a setting that includes historic buildings, said Christiana Hanson, spokeswoman for the C&O Canal park. Walking along the towpath in general should provide a "very colorful experience."
Tri-State area trails for spotting fall colors
Antietam National Battlefield, Fort Frederick State Park and Greenbrier State Park all should be good spots to check out fall's colors in mid-October, Cook said.
Trails that can provide good views of fall foliage in the area include:
The Murphy-Chambers Farm Trail at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park that includes a hike through fields and wooded ravines to see views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains.
Harpers Ferry's Bolivar Heights Trail that "offers some of the best views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Potomac River water gap and the Shenandoah Valley with the least amount of walking," according to the park's website.
Fort Frederick State Park's Beaver Pond Trail, which is about a 1.5-mile loop between Big Pool and the Potomac River. Park Ranger Supervisor Bob Study said that in about two weeks there will be more color along that trail, including paw paws and maples. One plant that was cherry red this week was poison ivy, one of the first to change color in autumn, he said.
The Catoctin National Recreation Trail can provide great views of fall's colors, but it is more than 26 miles long and is suited for more avid hikers, including people preparing to hike the Appalachian Trail, state officials said.
Catoctin Mountain Park has other trails involving Hog Rock, Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock that are more popular and much shorter.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Fall foliage on time this year in Washington County area
