Trying to predict the peak of fall color is difficult. Missouri is blessed with a great variety of trees, shrubs and vines. Their leaves turn at different times and, as a result, Missourians enjoy a fall color season that may last four to six weeks. Sassafras, sumac and Virginia creeper are some of the earliest to change. They begin to show their fall colors by mid-September. By late September, blackgum, bittersweet and dogwood are changing.
The peak of fall color in Missouri is usually mid-October. This is when maples, ashes, oaks and hickories are at the height of their fall display. Normally by late October, the colors have faded and the leaves are beginning to drop from the trees.
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This progression of color change starts earliest in north Missouri and moves southward across the state to the Bootheel. Generally, the color change is predictable but varies from year to year. Much depends on the weather.
Fall Color Update - November 16, 2007
Fall color is winding down across the Show-Me State. This will be the last report of the season. Check back in late-September 2008 for another round of reports.
Regional Summaries:
Northwest Region, including St. Joseph and Chillicothe:
We're winding down in the Northwest Region. The leaves are already off of silver maples and cottonwoods. Oaks and hickories are still holding their leaves, but showing very little color. Everything else is past peak and brown.
Northeast Region, including Kirksville and Hannibal:
The Northeast Region is past peak.
Kansas City Region:
Fall color is past peak in the Kansas City Region. We are on the downhill side of this year’s show.
Central Region, including Columbia, Jefferson City and Lake of the Ozarks:
The peak fall color has passed and most trees have shed their leaves for the year. There are still some trees hanging on to their leaves, but the colors have changed from red, yellow, orange and purple to mostly brown. Some yellow leaves are still brilliant and provide a good view when driving or hiking down a wooded lane.
St. Louis Region:
The peak of fall color for the St. Louis Region occurred several weeks ago. We have a few patches of color hanging around, but the clock is winding down on this year's show.
Southwest Region, including Springfield, Branson and Joplin:
Most colors are now fading, though scattered individual trees may still have nice color. Cooler temperatures and winds have knocked most leaves off the trees. However, just because their leaves are off, does not mean you cannot enjoy trees. Get out and look at the other characteristics of a tree. The bark, buds and fruit all have features that are interesting to look at and also help in identification.
Ozark Region, including Rolla, West Plains and Eminence:
The fall color season is slowly coming to a close. In much of the northern half of the region, the color has passed and leaves have senesced and dropped. The southern reaches of the Ozark Region are fighting the good fight and about 50 percent of trees still have leaves, though many of them are falling as winter looms nearer.
Southeast Region, including Cape Girardeau, Farmington, and Poplar Bluff:
The peak of fall color has passed in the Southeast Region. The display will be downhill from here.
To learn more about why leaves change color, how to identify common trees and where to drive to see spectacular color displays, click the links below.
