Natural History Wanderings

Maine Foliage Home reports

Color Peaking Throughout Much of Maine

(AUGUSTA, Maine) – The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Fall Foliage Report shows 75 to 100 percent color in zones 4, 5, 6 and 7. Central and coastal Maine (zones 1, 2 and 3) are at 50 percent color change. Low to moderate leaf drop is also reported throughout the state.

Typically, northern Maine (zones 6 and 7) reaches peak conditions the last week of September into the first week of October. The rest of the state’s progression of color will start occurring from north to south in mid-October. Coastal Maine typically reaches peak conditions mid-to-late October.

“Now that the busy Columbus Day weekend has passed, you can take those long, leisurely drives throughout coastal and western mountains of Maine this upcoming weekend and find less hectic traffic with stunning views of the fall colors. The entire state of Maine is now ablaze with color, but with plenty of green in the oaks to create a beautiful contrast,” according to Gale Ross, fall foliage spokesperson.

Maine’s unique and fun-filled festivals continue with the 33rd Annual HarvestFest & Kidsfest in York Beach on October 14. The festival features live music, local food vendors, juried crafters and old-fashioned market vendors from all over New England. Children will enjoy games, pumpkin carving and painting, horse-drawn wagon rides and more. Crafters can also look forward to this weekend’s Maine Craft Weekend, featuring a statewide tour of Maine craft studios, breweries, businesses and other Maine craft-related events.

This Sunday, the Great Maine Apple Day event will take place at the Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Try and buy delicious apple treats, enjoy kitchen workshops and speakers, watch apple pressing and more. Mark your calendars for next week’s Harvest on the Harbor kick-off on October 17 and continuing through October 22 in Portland. The event focuses on Maine’s diverse culinary offerings and landscape.

For those looking for a coastal fall foliage road trip, head to Boothbay to explore the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens featuring ornamental gardens, waterfalls, stonework, and sculptures. From there, drive to Camden Hills State Park, about a one-hour drive. For unparalleled panoramic views of the harbor and surrounding fall hues, drive to the top of Mount Battie.

If you are hoping to head Downeast, take a road trip to Acadia National Park to see the foliage in Maine’s beautiful national park. Drive up Cadillac Mountain for the ultimate fall foliage view in the park. On clear days, you are able to see nearly 100 miles from the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Rent a bike on the island and pedal along the carriage roads to enjoy the foliage at a different pace as you meander through the valleys and mountains of Mount Desert Island. This weekend, visitors will be leaf peeping as they run a marathon, half-marathon or relay on October 15 as part of the award-winning Mount Desert Island Marathon.

Autumn enthusiasts can visit the state’s official foliage website at www.mainefoliage.com to sign up to receive weekly reports by email, and can share their photos from throughout the state as the progression of color begins. Our Facebook page will include statewide events taking place throughout the foliage season, and our Instagram account (@mainefoliage) will also feature colorful fall shots. For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.

Week of October 11, 2017

Zone Number	Color Change	Leaf Drop
7	Peak	Moderate
6	Peak	Moderate
5	Peak	Moderate
4	Peak	Low
3	Moderate	Low
2	Moderate	Low
1	Moderate	Moderate

Foliage Zones

Zone 7: Northeastern Maine, including Fort Kent, Caribou, and Presque Isle

Zone 6: Northwestern Maine

Zone 5: Western Mid-Maine, including Greenville, Rangeley, Bethel

Zone 4: Eastern Mid-Maine, including Houlton, Millinocket, and Calais

Zone 3: Central and Southwestern Maine, including Bangor, Augusta, and Fryeburg

Zone 2: Downeast Maine, including Machias, Bar Harbor, and Penobscot Bay

Zone 1: Mid-Coast and South Coastal Maine, including Camden, Portland, Kennebunkport, and Kittery