FALL FOLIAGE UPDATES

Fading Foliage at Table Rock

Scott’s home is Table Rock State Park located on Scenic Highway 11, so he will have a front row seat to nature’s show of colors.

Fall Foliage Report - Nov 19, 2008

The cycle of autumn foliage has almost come full circle now. It all started with a few sparks of red and yellow which before long led to the whole forest ablaze with fall colors. Since then the intensity has cooled down and we are now left with just a few scattered glowing embers of dark red and russet mainly in the trees at lower elevations.

The higher regions have been reduced to “ashes” with a gray look of skeleton trees now void of leaves. With recent low temperatures in the twenties and vanishing foliage, the feel and look of things is definitely more like winter. With each passing day, what leaves now remain on the hardwoods will be disappearing fast except for a few stubborn oaks and the American Beech trees that retain much of their withered tan leaves until spring.

A walk in the woods now will reveal more color, although faded, on the forest floor than in the canopy. The thickening layers of fallen leaves will be recycled by nature to supply the soil with additional nutrients as they decompose. It is time for the evergreen trees and shrubs to start owning center stage once again with green the dominant color among the stark hardwoods. After all, Christmas is fast approaching.

Fall Foliage Report - Nov 12, 2008

As quickly as the peak of color sprang up through the forest, it has started to fade. Although foliage is now lacking at upper elevations, the majority of trees are still holding their leaves. There are a few splashes of yellow and an isolated brighter red here and there but a new calico look of various shades of brown is now dominating the mountain scene. Some oaks have acquired a coat of darker red but many have simply turned tan or brown. This period of post peak color, although not brilliant, has a nice attraction all its own as we wind the season down towards winter.

There are a few smaller maples around rural homes and neighborhoods with some bright color, especially in the upper piedmont, but many smaller hardwood trees still holding their leaves will soon be shedding them. The rain moving in at the end of this week and any wind will assist in stripping many leaves that have already weakened over time and are at the point of separation from the twig. Colder weather is moving in and before long autumn will be put to rest with all the glory it has provided. If you get outdoors this coming week, enjoy the time of lingering transition with increasing earth tone colors and falling leaves that is taking place throughout the wooded countryside.

Fall Foliage Report - Nov 5, 2008

Absolutely outstanding! Over the last four or five days, the peak of fall color arrived in the mountains. Since one week ago, the weather has been colossal with plenty of sunshine, blue skies, and mild day time temperatures. Viewing leaves has been a huge hit at state parks and along roadways this past weekend. The grand mosaic of color has had a mesmerizing effect to the gaze of its audience. One just can’t look long enough at all the breathtaking beauty to behold. Cameras are definitely getting a workout. 

Hickorys and maples are now standing out at their best and oaks are joining the party quickly. There is just the right blend of fading greens of a few hardwoods and scattered dark pines to give the scene an attractive balance of color. The peak of color will become a little more muted with each passing day now but should persist into coming weekend and still offer autumn onlookers a treat for their visual senses. If you have not made it out into the upstate yet, now is the time before the show fades to brown. In another week the change may be quite noticeable and less intense colors will start to dominate the scene. Whether it is an impressive mountain slope, the corridor of a country road, or down a city street, enjoy the bounty of this fantastic foliage while it lingers just a bit longer.

Fall Foliage Report - Oct 29, 2008

October is quickly drawing to a close and the peak of fall color is about to take center stage. During the past week the overnight temperatures have been chilly and most days have been clear and sunny which has helped to bring the colors along. In the last couple days we have had our first low temperatures at or below freezing.

The trees sporting red leaves have seemed to intensify and the shades of gold and yellow are filling in the slopes quite nicely. As the oaks come to peak, they will add some deeper reds, brown, and russet to the picture. Maples are becoming more attractive also with their varied displays of red, yellow, and orange. Gradually over the next 3 – 7 days the forest should provide us with splendid views of peak color in the South Carolina mountains. The upcoming weekend should be a prime time for enjoying the great outdoors and admiring the multi-colored landscape with temperatures near 70º in the forecast.

Many leaves have already fallen in places but there are still plenty hanging on for your viewing pleasure. With no stormy or windy conditions predicted in the near future, the foliage should not be stripped to the point of losing good color prematurely this coming week. If you want to see wonderful autumn color, this upcoming weekend will be a great time to get out and about. Even though the peak may be past the following weekend, normally some good “late” colors persist into November for a while, especially at lower elevations. Despite the extreme drought the mountains have been experiencing, our fall foliage is yet again delivering the goods that meet the eye.

Fall Foliage Report - Oct 22, 2008

As we slip closer to the end of the month, the fall foliage is gradually yielding to the color display that has been locked inside the leaves all summer. Although the landscape has not unleashed its full viewing pleasure potential, it is gaining momentum. Fuller color that has begun along the ridge tops is slowly creeping down the slopes and the forest as a whole is developing enough of a patchwork of reds and yellows that tells us the best is yet to come. The margins of our wooded acres are looking more impressive as one travels along upstate roadways.

A few more hickories are turning golden yellow but many are still holding back the show a bit longer along with maples and most oaks. The reds of the dogwoods and sourwoods are persisting with good color as they seem to wait for the larger trees to catch up. At this point, there is enough of a color tapestry showing up to provide some real appreciable viewing and photography opportunities.

The peak is probably 10-15 days away but the feel and look of these days definitely tells us we are in the heart of autumn. Get out and enjoy the beauty of this season as it unfolds into its final stretch of glory that will come and go all too fast. 
 

Fall Foliage Report - October 15, 2008

Now that we have reached the middle of October, the color changes are becoming more noticeable every couple days or so. Lakeshores are starting to show some impressive reflections when the water is calm and the highest ridge tops are revealing a tinge of color among the canopy as the darker greens begin to fade away.

The various reds of dogwoods and sourwoods that are scattered among the forest have become more intense. A few hickory trees and maples are beginning to join the tulip poplars and black locust in giving a yellow cast to areas where green leaves were dominant earlier in the month. As the foliage of tulip poplars continues to thin due to more leaves being shed, it has opened up additional opportunities to view other trees taking on color. 

Most days this month have delivered bright sunshine and lows in the 40’s and 50’s are becoming more common. This combination is what will trigger more color to be revealed with better intensity. Another cold front should drop temperatures into the 40’s over the coming weekend.

Once the oaks, maples, and hickories begin to change in earnest, the peak of fall color will be soon to follow. Last year the peak came late, during the second week of November. As conditions look now, indications are that it could take place at a more normal time - at the end of October. Stay tuned and we’ll know a little more next week as the forest provides more clues to enjoy.

Fall Foliage Report - October 8, 2008

Although the forests are still dominated by green leaves, the splashes of color have increased some over a week ago. If one ventures out along roadways and trails, the foliage that most frequently catches the eye is that of the sourwoods. These understory trees normally lead the season off with various shades of red. Many are dark but some, especially the younger succession trees can be bright scarlet. Dogwoods are also increasing their dark reddish-purple displays along with their brilliant red clusters of fruit.

Some of the sweet gums are getting into the act now with certain trees favoring a dark plum or red color, while others are displaying more leaves with yellow.

The red maples, hickories, and oaks have not shown much yet but if cooler nights and sunny days stay on course, they shouldn’t be too far behind. Some other types of foliage that is noticeable have been from climbing vines. Muscadine grape vines are giving some green tree tops a bit of yellow and poison ivy has added a path of bright red up and down some tree trunks.

As we wait for the main foliage show to arrive, a variety of fall blooming wildflowers such as golden rod, several types of asters, and other plants like the tall, purple iron weed have added their colors to the autumn landscape along the edges of fields and forests alike. It is yet to be revealed how long the peak of color will last due the nagging drought. Some trees may turn brown quicker or be less intense such as the yellow tulip poplars but overall the display should provide some nice viewing as it always does. 

Fall Foliage Report - October 1, 2008

Fall is just around the corner, and welcome to my first fall color report of 2008.  If you take a look at the Table Rock webcam, you will see that there is still a lot of green on the mountain and in the surrounding area.  It doesn't look that much different from summer right now. 

A few sourwoods are showing a hint of color and a few understory trees are beginning to turn.  Cooler nights are expected in the upcoming week, and this cool weather coupled with sunny days should bring a delightful show of color in the near future.  Check back next week, and I'll let you know how the color change is progressing.