Natural History Wanderings

New fall color reports for Eastern National Forests posted September 12, 2013 at the Eastern National Forest Website for the following National Forests:

ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST (PENNSYLVANIA): Leaves in the Allegheny are just starting to change. You will find bursts of yellow peeking through in the south, and some reds making an appearance in the north. Though still experiencing summer temperatures, it looks like fall is on its way! Peak fall color is predicted to be in mid-October.

CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET NATIONAL FOREST (WISCONSIN): The Chequamegon-Nicolet is still very green; but expects to see the beginnings of fall color in the next few weeks. Trees surrounding Langley Lake on the Forest Service’s Northern Research Station – East, on County Highway K, enjoy the last few days of summer green; in a short time, these Tamaracks will be a brilliant yellow.

HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST (INDIANA) :On the Hoosier, the hint of fall is in the air! It will still be a few weeks before significant color changes take place, but if you look closely you can catch a glimpse. Maple trees are showing signs and the buckeye trees are coloring and dropping their leaves fairly quickly. With cooler temperatures coming this weekend, it should be a great time to get out and enjoy the beautiful scenery the Forest has to offer. Now is the time to plan your trip & enjoy the colors as they come!

HURON-MANISTEE NATIONAL FOREST (MICHIGAN): Fall is showing up on a few trees here and there along major roadways, but overall everything is still very green. With the short wave of warm weather subsiding, and cooler temperatures predicted this week-end, we should start the first signs of color in the next two weeks.
In the meantime, now is a great time to check out some of the Forest’s wildflowers & grasses, including: Canada goldenrod, Gray goldenrod, Rough-leaved goldenrod, Grass-leaved goldenrod, Calico aster, and New England aster, Big bluestem, Little bluestem, Indian grass, and Purple love grass. In addition, several ferns are beautiful right now, including lady fern, royal fern, ostrich fern, cinnamon fern, and Virginia chain fern, and a number of sedges are in seed, including Carex crinite, folliculata, and intumescens.
Look for these wildflowers, grasses, ferns, and sedges at the areas listed on the Forest’s fall color page (link).

MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST (MISSOURI): Fall colors in southern Missouri, where most of the 1.5 million acres of the Forest is located, usually peak mid to late October. If you are looking for a scenic drive, please click here for a list of the Forest’s prime routes to enjoy fall color. Start planning your trip now!

OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST (UPPER PENNINSULA OF MICHIGAN): Not much change on the Forest; however, the greens are getting a hint of yellow tint, and the maples leaves are beginning to show some bright red and orange. Even the aspens are joining in, starting to turn a beautiful golden yellow. Fall color is at about 15%.

SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST (MINNESOTA): Less than 5% of leaves have turned, but understory plants are starting to show a fair amount of yellows and reds. The understory and open areas continue to show the most signs of fall this week with sedges and grasses turning golden, and on the lakes, wild rice is ripening. A panoramic view from an overlook has the appearance of summer with the crowns of the trees green, but walking on trails below, you’ll see plenty of color at ground level. The summer may be loath to go, but it is becoming more and more apparent that it has no choice.

WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST (NEW HAMPSHIRE): Colors are starting nicely at above 1500 feet in elevation; teasing with what will be. Recent light valley frost throughout the Forest has provided a nice fall feel. For some spectacular views in the next few weeks, plan a trip to the Kancamagus Scenic Byway, which passes through the heart of the White Mountains while travers-ing the flank of Mt. Kancamuagus, filled with scenic areas and overlooks. Stop and explore the Russell Colbath Historic Site, or take a hike along the Forest Discovery Trail, which provides forest ecology experi-ences in a living classroom!