{"id":42874,"date":"2024-10-10T16:00:59","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T20:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=42874"},"modified":"2024-10-10T16:06:07","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T20:06:07","slug":"fall-foliage-report-for-october-10-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2024\/10\/10\/fall-foliage-report-for-october-10-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall Foliage Report for October 10, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Foliage<\/a><\/p>\n

Welcome to this week\u2019s Fall Foliage Report for the Old Line State \u2013 or maybe it\u2019s the Gold Line State. That\u2019s what many of the hickories and birch trees in our state are showing right now \u2013 leaves with yellow, golden hues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, foresters and rangers continue to report a lackluster leaf show for 2024. Recent wind and rain have knocked down dry leaves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oaks are dropping acorns. In this issue, you can read more about how to tell the difference between Maryland\u2019s oaks and acorns in Forester Melissa Nash\u2019s report. Parts of the state are experiencing \u201cpeaks\u201d in foliage for certain tree species.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Bear Pond Mountains in Washington County, areas of hickory, maple, birch, and black gum are peaking, according to forester Aaron Cook.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis weekend would be a fantastic time to hike the Appalachian Trail in Washington County, or explore neighboring Frederick County at Catoctin Mountain Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, or Gambrill State Park,\u201d Cook said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Field Reports<\/b><\/h2>\n

Western Region<\/b><\/h3>\n

Sean Nolan, Forest Manager, Savage River State Forest<\/a>, Garrett County:<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Recent wet weather and wind have brought down many of the changing leaves. Current conditions are spotty, with the majority of the maple trees (red and sugar) along with beech and birch either showing good color or bare from recent weather while the oaks remain mostly green or just starting to change. Trees on the ridge tops are bare compared to those on the slopes and in the hollows that were better sheltered from recent wind. With the oak trees starting to show color and forecasted low temperatures for the remainder of the week it seems that a second wave of color change should occur in the coming 1-2 weeks before it is over for the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Shallow<\/a>

Photo by Kara Taylor<\/p><\/div>

\"Trees<\/a>

The recent high winds and rain left the trees around this wetland on Snaggy Mountain devoid of foliage. Photo by Scott Campbell, Forest Manager for the Maryland Forest Service, Potomac-Garrett State Forest\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Samantha Dixon, Park Ranger at Rocky Gap State Park<\/a>, Allegany County:<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Leaves in the park are starting to change, but are not at peak yet. As expected, the drought this summer has left most of the leaves to dry and fall without much vibrancy this year. Most gums and hickories are already past peak, while oaks are still completely green.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Yellow<\/a>

Photo by Samantha Dixon<\/p><\/div>\n

Melissa Nash, Garrett and Allegany Project Manager for Maryland Forest Service, Garrett and Allegany Counties<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Going nuts! Fall is not only a time to enjoy beautiful fall foliage, but a time when you will see our oak forests begin to drop their acorns.<\/span><\/p>\n

Collectively called \u201cmast\u201d nuts (hard mast) and fruits (soft mast) are seeds produced by trees that are consumed by a variety of wildlife species. In particular, acorns provide an important food source for a variety of wildlife species throughout the fall and winter. Acorns also enable forest regeneration through the growth of new seedlings. Acorns are produced by oak species, which are dominant in forests in the western part of the state. White oak species (white oak, chestnut oak) have leaves with rounded lobes. Their acorns are often more elongated, generally drop earlier in the season and begin to sprout soon after falling. Red oak species (northern red oak, black oak, scarlet oak) have leaves with pointed lobes. Their acorns are generally more rounded, drop later in the season and require a process called stratification, spouting the following spring. Many animals including deer, squirrels, turkeys, bears, chipmunks and grouse partake in the acorn feast. Acorn production often follows a boom and bust cycle, where trees produce an overabundance in some years, while other years are much more lean. Populations of many smaller animals (such as squirrels) that depend on acorns as a food source have been known to fluctuate in reaction to the acorn crop. Other common native nut producing species in Maryland include the hickories (shagbark hickory, pignut hickory, mockernut hickory, bitternut hickory), black walnut, and hazelnut.<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to check out the leaves in Garrett County? Follow this <\/span>driving tour<\/span><\/a> for the region.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Oranges,<\/a>

Oranges, browns and yellows show in the sun along a country road. Photo by Melissa Nash<\/p><\/div>

\"Misty<\/a>

Monroe Run Scenic Overlook, Photo by Melissa Nash<\/p><\/div>

\"Acorns,<\/a>

Photo by Melissa Nash<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Thomas Keenan, Watershed Forester for Maryland Forest Service, Monocacy Natural Resources Management Area<\/a> and Wolfsville in Frederick County<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Trees continue to change color early this year due to the dry summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Monocacy Natural Resources Management Area in Dickerson, most trees are still green given this area is at a lower elevation with an abundance of water. The spicebush, boxelder, and black walnuts continue to turn yellow. The silver maples have a slight red tinge on the terminal branches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a>

Sunrise over the Monocacy River. Photo by Thomas Keenan<\/p><\/div>\n

Wolfsville in northwestern Frederick County is at a higher elevation on the east slope of South Mountain. There, blackgums are a deep red, while the black birch trees continue to turn yellow. Hickories at higher elevations are in the early stages of turning a golden yellow. The white oaks are starting to turn a reddish-brown on the terminal branches. Red maples are starting to show a red tint on the edges of the leaves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Pops<\/a>

Photo by Thomas Keenan<\/p><\/div>\n

Aaron Cook, Forester for Maryland Forest Service, Washington County<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Warm sunny days and cool crisp nights have arrived, and with them larger swathes of our ridges are showing increased changes. In the Bear Pond Mountains, areas of hickory, maple, birch, and black gum are peaking. This is in contrast to the green oaks, which are usually the last trees to change each fall. Along the South Mountain corridor there are areas at higher elevations that may be near peak color, although all areas observed remain somewhat muted when compared to past falls. This weekend would be a fantastic time to hike the Appalachian Trail in Washington County, or explore neighboring Frederick County at Catoctin Mountain Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, or Gambrill State Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Rolling<\/a>

Photo by Aaron Cook<\/p><\/div>

\"Wooded<\/a>

Photo by Aaron Cook<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Kendra Bree, Park Ranger at Fort Frederick State Park<\/a> Complex, Washington County<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

We are starting to see more yellows and oranges in our foliage here at Fort Frederick State Park. Many of our trees are still green and there’s still a lot of leaf droppage, but hopefully this previous rain and dropping temperatures help the color change a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Tree<\/a>

Photo by Kendra Bree<\/p><\/div>\n

AJ Metcalf, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Office of Communications, Sideling Hill Creek State Park<\/a>:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

There were flickers of color in the trees throughout Sideling Hill Creek State Park and along the Western Maryland Rail Trail on Saturday, Oct. 5. However, it was clear after I flew a drone above the treetops over Sideling Hill Creek that the vast majority of the trees were still green. Nonetheless, it\u2019s going to be a great weekend given the weather to get the bike out and hit the rail trail that extends from Big Pool to Little Orleans. Make sure, however, to be <\/span>aware of the trail closure<\/span><\/a> from mile marker 2.6 to mile marker 9 in Hancock due to ongoing trail repairs. I recommend starting your ride near the bike shop in Hancock and heading north toward Little Orleans to avoid the closure.<\/span><\/p>\n

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