Fall Foliage Report – Sept. 30, 2011

In Virginia’s woods, trees are not the only species changing color.  Shrubs and vines also splash the forest understory with color.  Look for the bright red leaves of sumacs along woodland edges.  Poison ivy colors early, usually showing deep red leaves clinging to tree trunks.  Virginia creeper’s 5-parted leaves turn a bright, clear red.  The native wild grape usually sports yellow leaves, and the invasive Oriental bittersweet turns a bright golden yellow. 

Fall Foliage Report – Sept. 23, 2011

For the week of September 23, the calendar says fall, but Virginia’s forests are still mostly green.  If you look closely, you’ll see a few species of trees that begin to change color early.  These include black gum, which you may see waving bright red flags of color at the woods’ edge; yellow-poplar, a tall tree sporting yellow leaves scattered through its canopy; and dogwood, our State tree, which blushes to a dull red. Peak colors are expected in the mountains during mid to late October; the Piedmont and Coastal Plain are expected to peak during late October and early November.

Early Signs of Fall

The calendar says fall, but Virginia’s forests are still mostly green.  If you look closely, you’ll see a few species of trees that begin to change color early.  These include black gum, which you may see waving bright red flags of color at the woods’ edge; yellow-poplar, a tall tree sporting yellow leaves scattered through its canopy; and dogwood, our State tree, which blushes to a dull red.  If you’d like to brush up on your tree identification skills before the leaves fall, you can buy a copy of Common Native Trees of Virginia from our Web Store.