Tuesday, October 8, 2013

NC Fall Color Leaf Report for the Week of 10/7/13

The Week of October 7, 2013:
 The High Country:Color is increasing, but still not close to peak. It’s about 40% colored up with 60% to go. At higher elevations, like at Tynecastle on Rt. 105, and on the upper slopes of Grandfather Mt., it is more like 60-75% colored. This coming week will be good for leaf looking, but next weekend will be one you should not miss, and I think the same can be said for the weekend after that. The rains on Sunday night did not do too much damage, with most of the leaves still on the trees and favorable weather forecast for the upcoming list......see photos and read more from local expert Howie Neufeld, Ph.D. Professor of Plant Physiology Appalachian State University 
 
Asheville and the Mid-elevations: Still mostly green with small patches of color starting to appear. Dogwoods, sourwoods and Virginia creeper are all beautiful red. There is some color in some maples and yellow in other trees like birch and tulip poplar.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park:No reports because of Federal Shut-downs.

Western Mountains in Nantahala and the Smokies: Still mostly green with some colors appearing in Highlands and Sylva.

Where to find color this week: Along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Mount Mitchell, Craggy Pinnacle, Black Balsam Knob and the highest elevations. Grandfather Mountain along the ridgeline. Elk Knob State Park in Todd. The higher-elevation corridor around Winding-Stair Gap near Franklin. Beech Mountain.

Keep updated about the fall color in the mountains on the NC Mountain News.

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