Natural History Wanderings

Department of Biology | Appalachian State University has a new detailed fall color report for North Carolina

Fall foliage color is still there to see in the Boone area, but the quality is quite different now.  We have mostly yellow leaves (tulip poplars, ashes, a few birch, white oaks, magnolias, and especially beech now), but they are accented by the very deep, rust red color of the oaks (black, red and scarlet).  A few red and sugar maples are still showing nicely, but the peak of bright red has passed.   However, I find these colors are still worth viewing!

There is good color developing from 3,000′ and down, so if you drive the Parkway, you’ll see nice color off of the overlooks.  The Parkway from U.S. 421 north was quite nice yesterday, with mostly yellow/brown and rust red from the oaks.  A drive on this portion of the Parkway will probably still be nice this weekend and into the coming week.  A stop at Cascades picnic area and falls is something you should consider.  It’s an easy and short hike to the falls, and the views from the picnic area are really nice now.

Elsewhere in this area, the majority of trees have dropped their leaves at the high elevations, but the beech/oak combination still provides a nice color combination on the hills.  Asheville should be peaking in this coming week, and Chimney Rock and other areas at that elevation are also getting better and better.

The weather reports look good for this week until about Tuesday, when there could be a chance of rain.  Otherwise, mild temperatures, and blue skies and great leaf looking!  Cheers!

 To See Pictures, visit the Fall Color Guy’s Facebook page!