The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Thursday Fall Foliage Report found the drastic cooldown last week failed to deliver anticipated, major foliage changes throughout Pennsylvania.

Many northern hardwoods like red and sugar maple, which typically give the most vibrant colors across the state, dropped their leaves early.

Remaining leaves making up the forest canopy are likely to be of several oak species, which peak later.

Therefore, in many areas of the state, peak foliage will now be predicted based upon the oak/beech and oak/hickory community peaks, which occur one to two weeks after the northern hardwoods.

Best color for the oak communities in the Pennsylvania Wilds south through the Pennsylvania Appalachians is expected in the last week of October and first week of November, respectively.

Northeastern and a few northwestern counties continue to follow a predictable fall foliage timeline, peaking or starting to fade this week, while the southeast from Lancaster to Philadelphia remains essentially unchanged.

Foliage in the Laurel Highlands area in southwestern PA is peaking quickly but has been described as “spotty.”

Continued average to below-average fall temperatures should push foliage toward peak in many areas of the state.

Next week’s report is expected to feature the most color for the season.

Click Here for this week’s map and all the details!  Visit DCNR’s Fall Foliage Report webpage for more information.

Visitors can get suggestions about the best spots to view fall foliage on the Penn's Woods Fall Foliage story map and on the Pennsylvania Tourism Office website.

NewsClips:

Poconos Peak Leaf Peeping Weeks Late

Will Colorful Fall Foliage Be A No Show This Year? Sadly, It’s Possible

Fall Hiking Guide In Central PA

6 Pocono Hikes To Catch The Foliage Before It Falls!

Northeast’s Trees Staying Green Later This Year

Schneck: Fall Foliage Season In PA: Will It Ever Get Here?

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[Posted: Oct. 18, 2018]

10/22/2018