Final Fall Foliage Report
Eastern Panhandle offers colorful foliage,
rest of West Virginia past peak
Posted 10/27/11
With the exception of the state’s Eastern Panhandle counties and a few other scattered spots, state foresters report that the fall foliage season in West Virginia is quickly coming to an end.
Hickories and poplars are exhibiting stunning yellows and golden hues in Berkeley County. Foresters recommend visiting Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area to see these leaves plus the beautiful reds and purples of the white oaks.
Leaves in Jefferson and Morgan counties are reported to be equally beautiful. Foresters recommend a drive from Shepherdstown to Harpers Ferry along State Route 230 in Jefferson. In Morgan County, the recommended drive is State Route 9 between Berkeley Springs and Paw Paw.
Other recommendations to see limited color include driving along U.S. Route 220 through Pendleton County, taking U.S. Route 19 north from Weston to the Lewis County line and venturing along State Route 16 from Welch to Coalwood in McDowell County.
Foliage in most other areas of the state is reported to be past peak. Rain, wind and scattered frost have helped defoliate a good portion of West Virginia’s forests.
This is the final fall foliage report for 2011.
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.
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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