{"id":43098,"date":"2024-10-24T16:25:27","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T20:25:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=43098"},"modified":"2024-10-24T16:30:22","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T20:30:22","slug":"fall-foliage-report-for-october-24-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2024\/10\/24\/fall-foliage-report-for-october-24-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall Foliage Report for October 24, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

\"Fall<\/a>

Greenbelt Lake, Prince George’s County – Photo by Vincent Chiang<\/p><\/div>\n

In Western Maryland the foliage season is coming to a close, while trees on the Eastern Shore are hitting a midpoint. Trees in Central Maryland are at peak.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Anne Arundel, the sun-splashed yellow hickory leaves are sprinkled through the forest canopy. The red black gum are prominent while sweet gum are reddening up,\u201d says Francis Smith of the Maryland Forest Service.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the Hagerstown watershed forest, the sugar maple, sweet birch, and tulip poplar are positively glowing with the fine weather we’ve had,\u201d Forester Bob Schwartz reports. \u201cThese less developed areas with more extensive shallow groundwater flow seem to be avoiding the lackluster color predicted due to the drought this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pine trees on Assateague Island are evergreen, but Assistant Park Manager Meghan Rhode said fall color makes its presence known, \u201cWhether it is the orange of the monarch butterfly, the bright yellow of the goldenrod or red-brown coats of the Assateague ponies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more from our foresters and park rangers below.<\/p>\n

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Western Region<\/h2>\n

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

This will likely be my last report from Garrett County for the year as things continue to wind down and the sun begins to set on our foliage season. The oaks are putting on the final show with golden to burgundy tones. If you\u2019re wanting to see fall foliage in Garrett County – do it soon before it\u2019s gone! With continued warm and dry weather in the forecast I don\u2019t expect the remaining color to last much past the end of October this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"There<\/a>

Savage River Road, photo by Melissa Nash<\/p><\/div>\n

We are still experiencing severe to extreme drought throughout the county as evidenced by low water levels in many bodies of water. As we continue through fall, fire danger is likely to increase with warm, dry weather in the forecast and dry leaves accumulating on the forest floor. Be mindful of and adhere to state and local burning regulations. Find more information about <\/span>state outdoor fire regulations on the Maryland Forest Service website<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a>

The sun sets over Deep Creek Lake and on Melissa Nash\u2019s seasonal foliage reports from Garrett County for the 2024 season. Photo by Melissa Nash.<\/p><\/div>

\"Beautiful<\/a>

Foliage on Evitts Mountain at Rocky Gap State Park. Photo by Adam Miller, Forester, Western Region<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

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

Peak fall color has not been uniform across Washington County this fall. This is not unusual, as elevation, aspect, forest species composition, and other environmental factors all influence this annual change. Some areas of the county are at or will soon be at peak color, these include the ridges in the western part of the county and South Mountain in the north. The lower elevations of these same ridges along the Potomac River are a little further behind, but may be at peak color by this weekend, and our oaks are still just beginning to change color, although they are not known for the vibrant reds and yellows that our other forest trees produce.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>

The moon over Bear Pond Mountains, photo by Aaron Cook.<\/p><\/div>\n

At a landscape level, the oaks are usually bronze or brown.\u00a0 If you get into the forest on a hike, individual oaks can be rather spectacular, albeit a branch at a time with shades of burgundy, purple, red, and bronze.\u00a0 Oak leaves quickly turn brown, and the leaves tend to hang onto the trees for most of the winter.\u00a0 This phenomenon is known as marcescence, which is not a fully understood evolutionary trait.\u00a0 Regardless, these leaves persist as a treat to the eyes and ears on breezy winter days and are often complimented by accompanying shrubs with persistent winter fruit and evergreens.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking of evergreens, I have noticed that eastern white pine is yellowing in an attempt to join in on the frenzy of fall colors. Our office often receives calls about dying white pines from concerned landowners each fall, but this is a natural occurrence in the fall as old needles are shed by the tree.<\/p>\n

Foresters often prescribe the \u201cshelterwood treatment,\u201d which regenerates sun-preferring species under the temporary shelter of an open overstory, to perpetuate oak-dominated forest ecosystems; it can also be employed to regenerate white pine forests.<\/p>\n

While oaks are not always associated with magnificent fall colors, they are a keystone species that play a critical role in our ecosystem by providing food and habitat for a wide variety of organisms, without oaks the ecosystem would be significantly impacted. If the weather continues to hold, this should be another fine weekend to get out and enjoy the peak of fall color.<\/p>\n

Bob Schwartz, Watershed Forester for Maryland Forest Service in Washington and Frederick counties<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

We’re certainly at peak color along South Mountain in Washington and Frederick counties, although the Hagerstown Valley lags behind. In the Hagerstown watershed forest, the sugar maple, sweet birch, and tulip poplar are positively glowing with the fine weather we’ve had. These less developed areas with more extensive shallow groundwater flow seem to be avoiding the lackluster color predicted due to the drought this summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n
\"Beautiful<\/a>

Hickory and maple trees, photo by Bob Schwartz<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Nearby, blue wood aster is in full bloom. This lovely sky-blue aster lives in part-shade and features one of the latest bloom periods, a boon for late-season pollinators provisioning their young for next spring. With its compact form, this is a wonderful aster for both the woods and home landscapes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Red Oak is living up to its name, providing flame red hues to the golden tones of the other hardwoods. The oak genus, Quercus, has been shown to support the most insect species, over 500, of any group of trees in Eastern North America. White and red oaks are truly the powerhouses of our forests for everyone: insects, the birds they feed, and larger wildlife, as well, while giving humans quite a show come autumn. From the diminutive Bear Oak to a full-sized White Oak, there is an oak for every situation so you too can bring this piece of nature, and all its associations, home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grace Muller, Forester, Frederick City Watershed, Frederick County<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

This week is showing peak colors all across the mountain, at all elevations! Colors are vibrant and beautiful!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Fall<\/a>

Frederick City Watershed, photo by Grace Muller<\/p><\/div>\n

Central Region<\/h2>\n

Melissa Carson, Park Ranger at Patapsco Valley State Park in Baltimore, Howard and Carroll counties<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area, along with the Hollofield and McKeldin areas of Patapsco Valley State Park, have hit peak foliage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Still<\/a>

A campsite in Patapsco Valley State Park, photo by Melissa Carson<\/p><\/div>\n

Lesley Leader, Park Ranger, Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area and Bohemia River State Park, Cecil County<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Cecil County is at peak right now, with vibrant yellows, oranges and deep reds standing out against bright blue skies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Old<\/a>

The Willis House at Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area. Photo by Rick Ewing.<\/p><\/div>\n

Southern Region<\/h2>\n

Francis Smith, Maryland Forest Service, Anne Arundel County<\/i><\/p>\n

In Anne Arundel, the sun-splashed yellow hickory leaves are sprinkled through the forest canopy. The red black gum are prominent while sweet gum are reddening up. Below the multi color mosaic of an overstory, the dogwoods are getting an even deeper wine red.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Colorful<\/a>

More oranges and red this week compared to last week hint that Southern Maryland is nearing peak foliage. Photo by Elizabeth Klein, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.<\/p><\/div>\n

Eastern Region<\/h2>\n

Joanna Trojanowski, Park Ranger at Harriet Tubman State Park and Visitor Center<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

The leaves are at a midpoint at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Bright<\/a>

Morning dew on groundsel tree flowers. Photo by Joanna Trojanowski.<\/p><\/div>\n

Meghan Rhode, Assistant Park Manager for Assateague State Park<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

While the lower Eastern Shore has been seeing a change in tree color for at least a week or two now, the trees that surround Assateague Island just recently got the message to start the show. The corridor that welcomes you to the island is displaying a variety of bold fall colors! Assateague State Park consists mainly of loblolly pines and low shrubs that do not give that fall feeling but we notice fall in other ways, whether it is the orange of the monarch butterfly, the bright yellow of the goldenrod or red-brown coats of the Assateague horses. The island has a unique and beautiful way of welcoming in the cooler temperatures and shorter days of fall!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Fall<\/a>

At left, Route 611 near the entrance to Assateague State Park in Berlin. At right, an Assateague pony. Photos by Meghan Rhode.<\/p><\/div>

\"Beautiful<\/a>

Beautiful yellows and oranges are found in Pocomoke River State Park. Photo by Ranger Ashley Brown.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

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Recreational Spotlight<\/b><\/h2>\n