An arborist says Wisconsin’s fall colors are delayed compared to previous years, but says when they reach peak they’re expected to be show-stopping. That’s according to biologist Richard Bruce Allison.
Allison says the slow onset of fall color this season is due to the unseasonably warm September across much of the mid-west. If it stays warm for too long the colors won’t be brilliant, but he says the shortened daylight hours have triggered the fall colors. He says it’s the cool temperatures that are needed to maximize the colors.
“…what we don’t want of course is to have hard freezes that’s going to change the whole dynamic of that fall color. We’d like to not have freezing temperatures, just cool temperatures and a lot of sunlight to maximize the fall color.”
Allison says if it gets too cold too fast, colors can fade quickly. He says the mild but moist summer has led to an extended growing season, but says heavy rain and high winds can strip the tress before the leaves have a chance to peak.
There haven’t been reports of frost in the Northwoods yet and there’s been few cold spells, but Allison says when temperatures start to consistently dip below 50 degrees at night, the fall colors will develop quickly.
To get up-to-date reports on fall colors around the state visit travelwisconsin.com
