Every year people flock to the mountains or the local countryside to see the wondrous colors of fall. Personally, my favorites are the rarer, bright reds of maples and the golden yellows of hickories. However, there are always an assortment of yellows, oranges, reds, golden browns, reddish browns, and even purples that paint an ever-changing tapestry across the mountains and hillsides. Nothing is more exciting than riding along a country road that is ablaze with color, with leaves on the roadway and blowing through the air.
When exactly is the best week to make that autumn road trip may be baffling. The timing of fall color does vary a little every year and is influenced by soil moisture, air temperatures, and the amount of sunlight the trees and shrubs receive. To help you better predict the best time for an fall color adventure, see the interactive map that shows predictions of the timing of fall colors for the US, including the South. https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/
Some red maples produce an intense red color during October.
Joey Williamson, ©2017 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Hickories produce a warm, golden yellow color in fall.
Joey Williamson, ©2017 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Red Maple tree showing beautiful yellow fall colors.
Joey Williamson, ©2017 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Flowering Dogwood showing red fall colors.
Joey Williamson, ©2017 HGIC, Clemson Extension
For more information of why these colors come to be, please see HGIC 1029, Color Changes in Autumn Leaves.
