WSET.com - ABC13Fall Colors in Central VA by Lyndsay Tapases

Although we have not yet reached the peak of the fall foliage just yet here in Central Virginia, it looks like this summer's drought will not have much effect on the color. An extended drought is unfavorable for a good foliage season because without sufficient soil moisture, leaves may fall off the branches prematurely, before they have reached their peak color.

While soil moisture does play a role, the best recipe for radiant fall foliage is a pattern of clear, sunny days, followed by cool nights, because of the chemical processes going on inside the leaves. In the fall, the changes in day-length and temperature are a signal to the trees to stop their food-making process. The chemical which is essential to this process, called chlorophyll, is also what gives leaves their green color. Since the chlorophyll is no longer needed, it begins to break down, and thus the green color begins to fade. In addition, warm days with lots of sunshine stimulate the production of more sugars within the leaf, which become trapped within the leaf during the cool nighttime. At night, the sugars help produce anthocyanins and carotenoids within the leaves, which are colored pigments.

The combination of decreasing chlorophyll (green color) and increasing anthocyanins (red color) and carotenoids (yellow color) within the leaves is what makes for the wide array of colors, unique to different trees:

• ash — yellow, maroon
• beech — yellow to orange
• dogwood — scarlet to purple
• hickory — golden bronze
• oak — red, brown or russet
• poplar — golden yellow
• red maple — brilliant scarlet

 At this time, peak colors are expected in the mountains during mid to late October, and in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain during late October and early November.

                      Oct 20 – Nov3               Oct 25 – Nov 10           Nov 1 – Nov. 15   

So if you have been disappointed with Mother Nature's display so far, fear not—the show is right around the corner!