Fall Foliage
Posted on September 17 2023
National Fall Foliage Week begins on the last Sunday of September.
Make the most of fall and get ready to get outdoors and be inspired by a new season of color!
Anywhere there are deciduous broadleaved trees, ones that drop their leaves, is where to find great fall foliage colors. The Adirondack, Appalachian, Smoky, and Rocky Mountains are covered with displays of color.
The best fall foliage colors occur when days are short, sunny and cooler, nights are cooler and not below freezing, and trees are healthy and not stressed by drought or disease.
There are three types of leaf pigments involved in fall colors: carotenoids for yellow, orange and browns; anthocyanin for reds; and chlorophyll for greens.
During fall, the green chlorophyll production slows down and eventually stops which unmasks yellow and orange carotenoid colors. Sunny bright days result in production of anthocyanin which causes red hues.
Certain fall colors are characteristic of particular species of trees: oak trees have red, brown and russet leaves, birch trees have yellow leaves, hickories have golden bronze leaves, aspen and poplar trees have golden yellow leaves, dogwood trees have purplish red leaves, beech trees have light tan leaves and sourwood and black tupelo trees have crimson leaves; and elm trees simply turn brown.
Maple leaves differ by the variety of maple tree: red maple tree leaves are brilliant scarlet, sugar maple tree leaves are orange-red, black maple tree leaves are glowing yellow and striped maple leaves are almost colorless.
Experience fall foliage color outside in nature - walking, hiking, biking, kayaking - to immerse yourself in a canopy of color!
Shop our curated collection perfect for the cooler weather and inspired by the colors of fall foliage! Special discount automatically applied!
Resources
-2023 Fall Foliage in the U.S.
