‘Peak season’ approaching for fall foliage
There are nearly 100 different plant species in the Jennings Environmental Education Center, and 99% of them change color in the fall.
Stephanie Taylor, environmental educator at Jennings, said the many plant species in the park are in the middle of the color-changing process, making the fall a popular time to visit the prairie.
“Right now is an absolutely beautiful time to take a walk here at Jennings,” Taylor said. “We have some more people coming and visiting to enjoy the fall foliage.”
According to a fact sheet from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, chlorophyll and carotenoids are present in leaf cells throughout the growing season. Most anthocyanins are produced in the autumn, in response to bright light and excess plant sugars within leaf cells.
During the growing season, chlorophyll is continually used, broken down and replaced, so leaves appear green. As the length of night hours increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows and then stops. Eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. Carotenoids and anthocyanins present in the leaf are then unmasked and show their colors.
In most years, northern Pennsylvania counties reach their best autumn color from Oct. 1 to 10, central counties are at their peak from Oct. 10 through 20, and south central and southeastern counties have the most color from Oct. 20 to 31, according to the DCNR.
In recognition of the leaves changing color, Moraine State Park has several self-guided events planned for this week to highlight the fall colors, and Jennings has a free booklet that people can pick up to learn more about the plants on the prairie.
According to Taylor, many people are taking advantage of the season at Jennings, and she expects the leaves to be at max color soon.
“Over the weekend even, the building wasn't open, but we had the self-guided pamphlets out, and 30 to 40 to them had been taken,” Taylor said. “We have to be close to peak; it could be sometime this week.”
