Fall Colors Already?

[accadacca]

I've been riding in the mornings before work and have really noticed the leaves starting to change...ALREADY? What does this say about our fall and winter season? August seems early to me. :ne_nau:

58023

[Scott P]

What does this say about our fall and winter season? August seems early to me.

In this case, it means that there is currently a drought.

Drought = stressed leaves = early color change and color not as brilliant.

It's happening in a lot of places right now:

http://www.bing.com/search?q=leaves+change+color+early+during+drought&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=leaves+change+color+early+during+drought&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=

[restrac2000]

I was thinking the same thing but the USFS link (from your bing search) mentions that a summer drought should delay the change. From the sounds of it, the drought should pushing plants to develop their "abscission layers" sooner and before the leaves change color. I.E.....we should see leaves dropping in late summer after a drought that are still mostly green.

That is what I gleaned from multiple inks.

[Bootboy]

I've been seeing it for a couple weeks now in weber canyon.

[double moo]

It's that common phenomonom wherein we are mentally not ready for summer to end... So we believe the leaves are changing early. Leaves changing are more a factor of sunlight and less about temps (as evidenced by the current temps), hence they typically change at the same time every year - allowing for minor offsets due to drought, excessive wetness, temp extremes, etc... But mostly just the diminishing hours of sunlight - longest day of year was 2 months ago.

[OwenM]

I've been riding in the mornings before work and have really noticed the leaves starting to change...ALREADY?
I'm 2,000 miles away, but was thinking the same thing here in AL. Stood in the same spot Thursday before last, and it was all green, but nine days later:
http://imageshack.us/a/img171/8886/dscn1427v.jpg

Just means it's time for football season to start!

[accadacca]

Football...YES!!! :2thumbs: