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Peak week for Eastern Panhandle foliage
Posted Oct. 25, 2012
Another fall foliage season is winding down, but West Virginia Division of Forestry officials say there are still opportunities to see color this weekend.
The Eastern Panhandle counties of Berkeley and Jefferson are peaking this week, as are the lower elevations of Morgan County. Foresters say this is the can’t-miss weekend for that area. Shanghai Road and the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area are hot spots in Berkeley County, and foresters report all roads are beautiful in Jefferson County. This also is the peak week to visit the lower elevations of Mineral County. The recommended drive there is U.S. Route 220.
Foliage in the Northern Panhandle is holding on and providing colorful drives along all roads in Brooke County. State Route 8 to Tomlinson Run State Park is recommended, U.S. Route 250 and State Route 2 are again great choices for leaf peeping, and State Route 88 through Oglebay Park toward Bethany is a great drive.
Coopers Rock State Forest still has beautiful yellows and oranges and is a recommended weekend destination.
Foliage in and around the capital city of Charleston is at 90 percent peak. The State Capitol grounds have good color, as do areas along the Kanawha River where replicas of two of Christopher Columbus’ ships, the Niña and the Pinta, will be docked at Haddad Riverfront Park through Nov. 4.
The state’s second-largest city, Huntington, also is showing peak foliage. This weekend will provide the last opportunity of the year to see peak color on the Marshall University campus. A drive along tree-lined Third Avenue is especially beautiful.
Foliage south of Charleston is near or at peak. Corridor G/U.S. Route 119 from Madison to Chapmanville is a recommended drive, as are State Route 17 over Blair Mountain and State Route 10 by the Guyandotte River in Logan County. In Mingo County, foresters recommend a drive along King Coal Highway or U.S. Route 52. The Lower Mud River and Sumerco Mountain areas of Lincoln County are recommended areas to visit again this week. State Route 16 from Welch to Coalwood should be colorful in McDowell County.
This is the last fall foliage report for 2012.
Additional fall foliage updates, if available, will be posted on the Division of Forestry’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wvforestry
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TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF
Why Leaves Change Colors
Each fall, leaves turn breathtaking shades of orange, purple, red, yellow and brown in a fantastic show of nature's glory. But why do leaves change color? Although Jack Frost gets most of the credit, the scientific reason for our beautiful fall foliage is a process called photoperiodism. As the sun moves further south, the hours of daylight shorten and the temperatures fall. This causes leaves to cease production of chlorophyll, the chemical that colors leaves green. As the chlorophyll disappears, the underlying colors of the leaves are unmasked. The next strongest pigment becomes dominant giving the leaves a "new"color.
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FALL FOLIAGE COLORATION GUIDE
Yellows
Ash, White - Yellow
Basswood - Yellow
Beech - Yellow
Birch, River - Dull Yellow
Birch, Sweet - Yellow
Buckeye, Ohio - Yellow
Coffeetree, Kentucky - Yellow
Cottonwood, Eastern - Yellow
Elder, Box - Yellow
Elm, American - Yellow
Hazel Nut - Brownish Yellow
Hickory, Mockernut - Dull Yellow
Hickory, Pignut - Dull Yellow
Hickory, Shagbark - Dull Yellow
Hickory, Shellbark - Dull Yellow
Hophornbeam, Eastern - Yellow
Locust, Black - Yellow
Locust, Honey - Yellow
Maple, Silver - Pale Yellow
Oak, Chestnut - Yellow
Pecan - Dull Yellow
Redbud, Eastern - Yellow
Shad Bush - Bright Clear Yellow
Tuliptree - Yellow
Walnut, Black - Yellow
Walnut, White - Bright Yellow
Willow, Black - Pale Yellow
Reds
Dogwood - Crimson
Gum, Black - Deep Red
Oak, Northern Red - Rusty Red
Oak, Pin - Crimson
Oak, Scarlet - Scarlet
Oak, Southern Red - Rusty Red
Oak, Swamp Chestnut - Dark Crimson
Sourwood - Deep Red
Sumac - Brilliant Red
Browns
Oak, Bur - Pale Brown
Oak, Post - Pale Brown
Oak, Shingle - Brown
Oak, Swamp White - Pale Brown
Multi-Colors
Hawthorn - Brilliant Varying Colors
Hazel Nut - Brownish Yellow
Hornbeam - Orange, Scarlet
Maple, Red - Red, Orange
Maple, Sugar - Yellow, Orange, Red
Oak, Black - Dull Red to Orange Brown
Oak, Blackjack - Dull Yellow or Brown
Oak, White - Pink or Red
Persimmon - Glossy Green with Yellow
Sassafras - Red, Orange, Yellow
Sweetgum - Yellow, Orange, Brown
Sycamore, American - Yellow, Brown
Witch Hazel - Bright Yellow-Orange
No Change
Magnolia, Umbrella - No Change
Holly, American - No Change
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