Natural History Wanderings

Fall Leaf Color Updates | Great Smoky Mountains Association has a new fall color report for October 7, 2013

Fall colors at the highest elevations are now approaching peak in the Great Smoky Mountains. The mountaintops are showing rich golds and some reds. In addition, American mountain-ash trees are loaded with red berries.

Lower down, several species of trees are showing good color. Sycamore, sassafras, witch hazel, walnut, tuliptree, black gum, sourwood, Virginia creeper, sumacs, and black walnut are all changing. Migrating birds are flocking to the dogwoods’ red berries. Fall wildflowers are also conspicuous, including jewelweed, asters, goldenrod, and white snakeroot.

Good places for a drive include the Blue Ridge Parkway and Newfound Gap Road. All trails in the parks are closed due to the shutdown.

The peak of fall colors at the lower and mid elevations usually occurs in late October or early November. This year’s colors show special promise due to a wet spring and summer and a perfect combination of sunny days and cool nights this week.