NC Fall Color Leaf Report for the Week of 10-21-12

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October 21, 2012 - The High Country is still full of fall color with an increase in the intensity of  the brilliant reds from the red maples and oaks, contrasting against the bright yellows of late turning sugar maples. This combination brought out the colors all along the eastern flank of the mountains, from Ashe County down to Linville Falls.

With predicted sunny and calm for the upcoming week these bright color will probably continue through the coming weekend. The best color viewing is either early in the morning when the sun is at a low angle, or just before dusk, for the same reason. Those are also the best times to take photos of the leaves. There is good color all the way down into the foothills and even as far as Wilkesboro and beyond, but the intensity of colors is much better closer to the mountains at elevations between 1,500' and 3,000'.

Many trees above 3,000' have lost leaves, especially the tulip poplars and some of the early turning maples and birches, but enough trees remain with leaves to make a trip to the higher elevations worthwhile. You will especially like the views off the Parkway of the leaves at lower elevations, where the colors are reaching their peak now.
Farther south and west colors are good from Maggie Valley and Waynesville, on into the Smokies. In Highlands many places are now at their peak. Karen Kandl, Associate Director of the Highlands Biological Station, writes that between Cullowhee and Cashiers and over to Highlands "many of the small oaks along the road are deep dark reds. Tulip poplars and beeches are yellow. Sassafras is yellow, orange and red. When the sun hits these leaves in the early morning, it is absolutely beautiful." This past weekend was good, and colors should hold to the coming weekend also.


Chimney Rock Park reports that in the past couple days some nice yellows and oranges have appeared on the tops of mountain peaks around Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Bright, colorful foliage is visible along major driving routes, offering a stunning drive to Chimney Rock. The poplars are a vibrant gold now and the sourwoods, dogwoods and sassafras have turned red in the Park.  Although there is still a lot of green, Chimney Rock's fall colors should continue to brighten dramatically over the next couple weeks.


Pilot Mountain State Park is coloring up nicely now and according to the rangers, will peak this week and the coming weekend. From now until early November, if you go up there on a weekend, note that parking could be tight, so either go early, or be prepared to wait for a space.

This Leaf Color information is provided by Howie Neufeld, Ph.D., Professor of Plant Physiology at Appalachian State University in Boone NC. Dr. Neufeld writes a first-hand Leaf Report throughout the NC fall color season, as well as a Facebook Page, Fall Color Guy