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Fri, May. 9, 08 - Currently in Burlington, Vermont: Clear - 59° - forecast

Fall Foliage

2007 Fall Foliage Season Wrap-up

What an incredible and unusual year this was for foliage in Vermont. Summer-like temperatures stayed with us throughout September and into early October. Most parts of the state didn't see their first frost until the fourth weekend of October, when we normally see our first frost by the second or third week of September.

As the days got shorter, the leaves began to change gradually and that pace continued throughout most of the season. It was a very different, yet still incredibly beautiful foliage season with lots of warm yellows and oranges, with some scattered, vivid reds appearing on trees in towns and villages and near swampy, marshy areas. Given the lack of a frost until so late, trees pretty much chose their own pace at which to change, which meant you could look out and see a green, mid-stage, near-peak, peak, past peak, and bare tree on the same hillside.

As always, there were many fun celebrations from apple festivals to harvest suppers, and Oktoberfests to craft fairs in addition to all of the normal attractions for which Vermont is famous. People enjoyed great meals at our restaurants and comfortable surroundings in our hotels, inns, and B&Bs. The landscape was beautiful, and as people made their way around Vermont on their favorite foliage routes, they were again reminded what a beautiful, unspoiled and special place Vermont is.

We are now heading into "Stick Season" in most parts of the state. Stick Season refers to the period after foliage has finally left most of the trees and before the first snowfall covers the branches. This year, however, many of the ‘sticks’ still have a few leaves of yellow and orange remaining. Don't miss your chance to come and visit Vermont before the cold winter weather arrives.

If you couldn't make it to Vermont to witness it yourself, you can find some gorgeous Fall scenery in Vermont.com's photo gallery, thanks to local photographers. But, truly, you've got to be here to fully enjoy the leaves. We hope you visit us for the 2008 season and thanks for your interest in Vermont. Also, special thanks to the USDA Forest Service and the Vermont Department of Tourism for providing some of the details in this year's reports.

Best Bets: During the earliest part of foliage season, viewing is more about elevation than location. Your best chances for spotting color are to 'get high' or 'get low.' Higher elevations with panoramic views will allow you to spot smatterings of color in the valleys below. Alternatively, you can 'get low' - marshy areas near bodies of water typically offer the first areas of foliage change and also offer a wide variety of tree species which enlarges the palette of early season colors.

Helpful Tip: Plan Ahead!
Foliage season is a very popular time to visit Vermont, so if you want to stay in a particular place on a particular weekend, call in advance to make sure rooms are available. Having your lodging plans made in advance will avoid unnecessary stress and allow you to enjoy your foliage season odyssey. Also too, it is a good idea to make dining reservations as early as possible in the day or even the night before.

When To Come For 'Peak' Foliage:
There is no one 'perfect' time to visit Vermont to see peak foliage. Color change begins in mid-September and runs through the first two to three weeks in October and varies by elevation, progressing from north to south and higher to lower elevations during the course of the season. As such, there are many 'peaks' so that you can make your plans based on the timing and location that works for you.

Science Behind the Leaves Changing Colors:
During the short summer months, broad-leafed trees such as maples, oaks and birches produce food to nourish themselves for growth. They do this through a process known as photosynthesis, using the energy of the sun to produce food. As the days grow shorter in early fall, the increasing periods of darkness trigger leafy plants to slow down photosynthesis and stop growing. A pigment in the leaves called chlorophyll (which gives leaves their green color) is used in photosynthesis, so the slowing of this process means there is less green pigment. But leaves contain pigments other than green, called carotenoids and anthocyanins. Once the greens fade, carotenoids are revealed (yellow, orange, and brown colors), anthocyanins and are produced (red and purple colors).

Certain colors are characteristic of particular plant species. Red maples live up to their name by turning scarlet, while most sugar maples glow a warm orange. Aspen and birches display sunny yellows, while oak and beech leaves turn bronze and gold. Most of Vermont's fall foliage color is provided by red and sugar maples, two resilient tree species that constitute more than 50 percent of our forest's trees. You can find even more details on leaves and their changing colors, courtesy of the US Forest Service: How Leaves Change Colors