Extended dry spells could mean shorter fall foliage season
It’s that time of year again — time for the most colorful autumn state in the U.S. to show its colors for a few weeks.
Peak fall foliage color season is not far away in Pennsylvania, the state which prides itself on having the most vibrant fall foliage in America, if not the entire world — and Butler County is no exception.
The reason for Pennsylvania’s uniquely vibrant fall colors is geography. According to the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania is situated in the “sweet spot” when it comes to supporting a variety of tree species, as it is one of the few places which can support trees that are native to both the northern and southern parts of the country.
“We have a northern hardwoods community, and then we have a southern hardwoods community,” said Ryan Reed, natural resource program specialist at DCNR. “Those two communities mix really nicely throughout the state.”
The DCNR says that only a few other locations in the world are in this “sweet spot.” These are northeastern China, northern Japan, the British Isles, and parts of northern Europe.
Contributing to this unique phenomenon, particularly in the western part of the state, is a combination of tree life which includes maple, cherry, birch, hickory, oak, beech and dogwood, among others. These produce a vibrant combination of hues ranging from green to yellow to orange to red.
“We have well over 130 species of trees, shrubs and vines that all contribute varying colors at various times throughout the fall foliage season,” Reed said. “For a period of roughly a month or more, you can see beautiful colors emanating from something.”
Among the best places to witness this transformation are at the area’s three state parks — Moraine, McConnells Mill, and Jennings.
“The parks feature tree species commonly associated with an eastern deciduous forest, including oak, maple, cherry and beech, among many others,” said Dustin Drew, the manager of both Moraine and McConnells Mill.
For Moraine, Drew recommends the Eisler Grove Picnic Area, as well as the Glacier Ridge/North Country National Scenic Trail as ideal viewing locations. In addition, the Moraine Preservation Fund is running a special “Fall Foliage” cruise aboard the pontoon boat Preston’s Pearl on Oct. 4.
“It would be hard to pin down one particular place, as there are many,” Drew said.
For McConnells Mill, Drew recommends the scenic overlook at Cleland Rock, as well as the Hell’s Hollow Trail for hikers.
Meanwhile, Jennings Environmental Education Center is holding a Fall Foliage and Autumn Wonders Walk on at 2 p.m. Oct. 13 , a half-mile hike which is free to enter.
Experts, including Reed, warn that the season of peak color may start a little earlier and last a little shorter than usual this year due to long periods of drought in Western Pennsylvania.
“We’ve had so many dry spells, and typically what that means is that the season will commence a little earlier, and it may be over a little earlier than what we’ve been accustomed to in recent years,” Reed said.
A spectacular fall foliage display requires the right combination of moisture and temperature conditions for the right amount of time. Warm and dry conditions during the summer may cause leaves to turn color and drop prematurely.
Still, Reed is optimistic that this season will produce vibrant colors.
“I think we’re set up for a really nice fall,” Reed said. “I think it's going to be beautiful. I think it’ll be right on par with what we saw last year and maybe even a little better. But I do think it could be short-lived.”
While the fall colors are an annual spectacle, Reed wants to remind Pennsylvanians that they are not something to take for granted.
“We want to make sure that people realize that the fall foliage season is not guaranteed,” Reed said. “Our forest resources need intentional conservation, and we need public policy to reflect their importance. Pennsylvania’s forests are extremely important to the state, not just for the timber industry, but also for the major economic activity and tourism that is seen in fall foliage season.”
Each year, the DCNR provides updates on the changing of leaf colors across the state on a weekly basis on its website. The first update for the fall of 2024 hasn’t happened yet. Last year, the first update was published on Sept. 28.
