HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has released its second weekly fall foliage report, revealing that peak colors are on the horizon for Centre County.
According to the DCNR map, Centre County is about one week away from experiencing the most vibrant fall colors, with the peak anticipated during the third weekend of October.
Foresters in Moshannon State Forest have reported that Clearfield and Centre counties are nearing their peak colors. Trees such as red maple, sugar maple, black gum, sassafras and sweet birch, and ferns, are approaching their full splendor. However, oak trees are still predominantly green, although some hints of yellow and red are beginning to appear.
The recent warm weather has slowed down the transition of colors across the state, but as the temperature cools down, we can expect a more rapid progression.
According to the report, “A succession of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp, but not freezing nights seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays.”
Moderate temperatures and summer rains this year have brought in a lot of green to the state, which will make for a colorful autumn. Peak color throughout the commonwealth is expected to occur around mid-October.
The Pennsylvania DCNR suggests several scenic routes in the area for enjoying the fall foliage, including Route 504, Benner Run Road and Tram Road in Centre County. In neighboring Clearfield County, they recommend routes 153, 255 and 555 and U.S. 322, along with state forest roads like Tyler, Laurel Run and Laurel Ridge Roads.
“Check out Parker Dam and Black Moshannon state parks, which possess lakes and streams that complement the beautiful fall colors very nicely,” the DCNR said in its report.
In this region, state parks and forests are expected to offer some of the best views of the fall foliage. The DCNR recommends the banks of Poe Valley State Park’s lake, Route 305 over Stone Mountain, Route 26 on Tussey Mountain in Rothrock State Forest and Spruce Creek.
For those looking to explore further, the DCNR provides this route: “From the town of Spruce Creek, take State Route 45 east to Colerain Road, then to Brady Road, PA Furnace Road and back to Tram Road to Colerain Road. The dense Rothrock State Forest will provide a delightful fall palette.”
As for other parts of the state, the second weekly fall foliage report states, “Much of the northern tier is at peak color, with remarkable vibrancy in many areas. Much of the Allegheny Plateau and the northern Appalachians are approaching best color, indicating that the best is yet to come.”
The DCNR explains that three factors influence fall colors: leaf pigments, the length of the night and weather. As the nights grow longer and cooler, the biochemical processes in the leaves begin to color the landscape with autumn’s palette.
“As days grow shorter and nights grow longer and cooler, biochemical processes in the leaf begin to paint the landscape with nature’s autumn palette,” the report for the DCNR emphasized.
Pennsylvania offers a unique experience for viewing fall colors due to its geographical location. The report highlights, “Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation — or anywhere in the world.”
According to the DCNR, there are only three regions globally that support deciduous forests and their fall colors: the eastern part of North America, the British Isles with parts of northwestern Europe, and northeastern China and northern Japan. Conifers typically dominate all other regions.
The Pennsylvania DCNR plans to release a fall foliage report every week throughout the season to track autumn’s changing colors across the commonwealth.
You can access the reports at dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/ForestsAndTrees/FallFoliageReports.
