It's officially fall and time to follow the progress of the incredible NC mountains leaf color. There are already noticeable changes in a variety of areas while green still dominates at 80% - 90%. in most lower elevations.
According to Howie Neufeld, Ph.D., Professor of Plant Physiology at Appalachian State University, "If I had to make a guess right now, I would predict a slightly earlier peak to the fall foliage colors this year in the mountains, with perhaps the weekend of October 7-9 being the peak in the Boone/Grandfather area, and maybe the next weekend further south around Asheville. In the Highlands/Cashiers area, you can often expect colors to peak at around the same time as in Boone, or just slightly afterward. In the Smokies, colors will peak in early October at the higher elevations, and then work their way down slope, with a delay of about 5 days for every 1,000’ drop in elevation."
Neufeld reports that on Grandfather Mountain, "color is very pronounced on the heath balds and rock outcrops. Above 4,500’ color is quite advanced, and on the eastern and lower flanks of Grandfather (the side facing the Blue Ridge Parkway) there are one or two ridges with excellent color already. You can get a great view of this from the Beacon Heights parking lot, and also on the rock outcrops at Beacon Heights (take the short trail to the top for spectacular views). Species displaying the most right now include sugar and red maples which initially turn yellow and then convert to an orange/red hue."
The leaf reports will help you determine where to go in the NC Mountains whether you are already in the mountains or just planning your trip. Western North Carolina has one of the longest leaf seasons in the country thanks to varying elevations and climate conditions.
According to Howie Neufeld, Ph.D., Professor of Plant Physiology at Appalachian State University, "If I had to make a guess right now, I would predict a slightly earlier peak to the fall foliage colors this year in the mountains, with perhaps the weekend of October 7-9 being the peak in the Boone/Grandfather area, and maybe the next weekend further south around Asheville. In the Highlands/Cashiers area, you can often expect colors to peak at around the same time as in Boone, or just slightly afterward. In the Smokies, colors will peak in early October at the higher elevations, and then work their way down slope, with a delay of about 5 days for every 1,000’ drop in elevation."
Neufeld reports that on Grandfather Mountain, "color is very pronounced on the heath balds and rock outcrops. Above 4,500’ color is quite advanced, and on the eastern and lower flanks of Grandfather (the side facing the Blue Ridge Parkway) there are one or two ridges with excellent color already. You can get a great view of this from the Beacon Heights parking lot, and also on the rock outcrops at Beacon Heights (take the short trail to the top for spectacular views). Species displaying the most right now include sugar and red maples which initially turn yellow and then convert to an orange/red hue."The leaf reports will help you determine where to go in the NC Mountains whether you are already in the mountains or just planning your trip. Western North Carolina has one of the longest leaf seasons in the country thanks to varying elevations and climate conditions.
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