New England Foliage Thread

[powderfreak]

Yeah that's the thing about most of Vermont. It's a lot of the same trees so colors change rapidly and all at once. But the colors are also shorter lived, and we'll lose a lot of these colors sooner too. A little different in the Champlain Valley where there are more tree varieties, so things happen piecemeal there. The colors last longer but are not as spectacular.

Thanks! Haha I'll be back at it tomorrow. Was definitely at peak from what I saw yesterday and today, although still some green on the lower halves of the trees. Leaf drop is accelerating. The CPV is definitely changing too! It's different than past years, and seems to be much closer in time of change when compared with the rest of Vermont than usual. But we'll be more staggered here. A longer but less brilliant season when compared to the Greens.

Yeah species diversity is a big part of it...like in the Rockies they get huge swaths of only yellow because Aspens are the only main tree type that changes color out there. The rest are evergreens.

NNE has more of the same 5 tree types that all change at once. It comes on quick but leaves just as quick (no pun intended). I noticed a lot more leaf drop in the past 24-48 hours.

[Ginx snewx]

Yeah species diversity is a big part of it...like in the Rockies they get huge swaths of only yellow because Aspens are the only main tree type that changes color out there. The rest are evergreens.

NNE has more of the same 5 tree types that all change at once. It comes on quick but leaves just as quick (no pun intended). I noticed a lot more leaf drop in the past 24-48 hours.

each area has its perks but for simple beauty the pics posted by Nittany are unreal

[OceanStWx]

lol, here we go again with the all or nothing. It can't just be an average foliage year. Starburst colors or total brown, nothing in-between.

It is possible that certain tree species are more immune than others to the drought, and therefore you can have a wide variation in color this year. Some species may just die brown and fall off, others are able to produce good sugars regardless.

Up here in NNE it's a pretty average foliage year to me. It's beautiful every year no matter what, so hard to say what's better or worse.

 

I mean it's been a dry several months, but a nearly normal water year. It's not like these trees are on their last legs of life.

 

[Isotherm]

What are the main tree species in VT/NH? Mostly maple types I'm assuming, as those tend to be the brightest around here as well. Also seems like Maine (even coastal) has a much higher proportion of evergreens than most of NH/VT/Upstate NY. This results in NH-VT usually having the best color in the Northeast.

 

As someone in the thread said, color further south in the Northeast tends not to have that "widespread vibrant" look, since many different species grow near each other. Thus your classic full green tree next to a peak tree next to a bare tree, which I often see around here in mid October. If you can catch an area with a swath of the same species, then you'll see colors as vibrant as you do in NNE. The other major difference is the mountainous terrain which allows for much easier viewing of the foliage, on a larger scale. For the flat-landers, you can't see as many trees at once as you can in the mountains.

[powderfreak]

What are the main tree species in VT/NH? Mostly maple types I'm assuming, as those tend to be the brightest around here as well. Also seems like Maine (even coastal) has a much higher proportion of evergreens than most of NH/VT/Upstate NY. This results in NH-VT usually having the best color in the Northeast.

As someone in the thread said, color further south in the Northeast tends not to have that "widespread vibrant" look, since many different species grow near each other. Thus your classic full green tree next to a peak tree next to a bare tree, which I often see around here in mid October. If you can catch an area with a swath of the same species, then you'll see colors as vibrant as you do in NNE. The other major difference is the mountainous terrain which allows for much easier viewing of the foliage, on a larger scale. For the flat-landers, you can't see as many trees at once as you can in the mountains.

Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch, and Beech are the three most common in VT....with Elm and Ash following. For the most part, that's what you'll find, mixed with the conifers. The sugar maple is the most common tree in Vermont.

The good fall foliage is mostly the types of trees are very vibrant, and there isn't a ton of diversity, especially as you head to higher elevations. The hills have great foliage like you said because of the vantage points, but also due to decreasing diversity as you head up in elevation and in the colder climates.

[tamarack]

What are the main tree species in VT/NH? Mostly maple types I'm assuming, as those tend to be the brightest around here as well. Also seems like Maine (even coastal) has a much higher proportion of evergreens than most of NH/VT/Upstate NY. This results in NH-VT usually having the best color in the Northeast.

 

As someone in the thread said, color further south in the Northeast tends not to have that "widespread vibrant" look, since many different species grow near each other. Thus your classic full green tree next to a peak tree next to a bare tree, which I often see around here in mid October. If you can catch an area with a swath of the same species, then you'll see colors as vibrant as you do in NNE. The other major difference is the mountainous terrain which allows for much easier viewing of the foliage, on a larger scale. For the flat-landers, you can't see as many trees at once as you can in the mountains.

 

Depends on one's taste.  I like the contrast between dark green spruce-fir and blazing maples, especially where maples and other colorful hardwoods are about 3/4 of the forest.  The lighter green of white pine adds a touch of "pastel" to the scenery.  In places throughout NNE, the midslopes are nearly all bright-color hardwoods while the upper slopes provide a layer of dark green.  But I'm not going to argue between A and A+. 

[CapturedNature]

I wish the MODIS was a little clearer, but the aerial shots had me take a look at the high res images and it's neat how you can clearly see where the peak color is:

 

http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=true_color&date=2014_09_27_270&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA4&resolution=250m

[powderfreak]

Heavy leaf drop lately...almost like we are sailing past peak foliage. Amazing how fast that transitioned happened this year. Literally days from green, to vibrant color, and now above 1,500ft is still good color but a lot more bare sections of trees.

Even in town the leaf drop is very noticeable with some trees almost bare in spots, mostly low lying swampy areas though.

[Nittany88]

Heavy leaf drop lately...almost like we are sailing past peak foliage. Amazing how fast that transitioned happened this year. Literally days from green, to vibrant color, and now above 1,500ft is still good color but a lot more bare sections of trees.

Even in town the leaf drop is very noticeable with some trees almost bare in spots, mostly low lying swampy areas though.

 

Hiked Jay today and it appeared past in the higher elevations. A lot of leaf drop.

[eyewall]

I took this during the "Golden Hour" just before sunset near Elmore, VT on 9.27. I know some of you don't like enhanced photos, but the enhancement on this was much less than some of my other pics as the sun did plenty to saturate the colors at a low angle (light a spot light) on its own. the main enhancement was to bring out the underexposed foreground a bit as it was dark in the original, and some sharpening.

[powderfreak]

Hiked Jay today and it appeared past in the higher elevations. A lot of leaf drop.

Yeah Mansfield now looks past peak or at the tail end of peak above 2,000ft at least.

Your mountain recreation forecast should read: Leaves, falling heavily at times. New leaf accumulation 3-6", except locally higher amounts where the wind blows.

[Nittany88]

I took this during the "Golden Hour" just before sunset near Elmore, VT on 9.27. I know some of you don't like enhanced photos, but the enhancement on this was much less than some of my other pics as the sun did plenty to saturate the colors at a low angle (light a spot light) on its own. the main enhancement was to bring out the underexposed foreground a bit as it was dark in the original, and some sharpening.

 

Nice shot!

[Nittany88]

Yeah Mansfield now looks past peak or at the tail end of peak above 2,000ft at least.

Your mountain recreation forecast should read: Leaves, falling heavily at times. New leaf accumulation 3-6", except locally higher amounts where the wind blows.

 

Ha! From nothing to peak to now winding just past in a week and a half lol.

[Nittany88]

From near Jay Peak today. Encountered the Jay Cloud a bit up there lol, as well as there was noticeable haze which greatly cut down on visibility and washed out some of the color. Not quite as stunning as yesterday but pretty sweet nonetheless.

 

 

 

[Nittany88]

Powderfreak- How would you rate this season as compared to last year? 

[powderfreak]

Awesome as usual...surprised you had some breaks in the clouds. I was out and took some shots but all day was sort of low stratus with a cieling at times down to 2,500ft. Hazy too like you said. It finally seemed to clear up though at like 4-5pm when the upper elevations became visible.

[Nittany88]

Awesome as usual...surprised you had some breaks in the clouds. I was out and took some shots but all day was sort of low stratus with a cieling at times down to 2,500ft. Hazy too like you said. It finally seemed to clear up though at like 4-5pm when the upper elevations became visible.

 

Yeah on our way there we could see it billowing and trying to roll over the lower mountains along the spine. However it seemed to mix out a little and the ceilings were a little higher further north and removed from the maritime air. Perhaps its not as trapped as Jay Peak is on the north end of the ridge line.

[powderfreak]

Powderfreak- How would you rate this season as compared to last year?

I'll have to look back at last years pictures but I think it's probably similar. I remember last year though maybe not being that good...there was one recent fall, I think 2012, that was absurdly good.

[powderfreak]

Yeah on our way there we could see it billowing and trying to roll over the lower mountains along the spine. However it seemed to mix out a little and the ceilings were a little higher further north and removed from the maritime air. Perhaps its not as trapped as Jay Peak is on the north end of the ridge line.

Yeah up there too doesn't have as pronounced of a Spine as the Mansfield-Bolton-Sugarbush stretch with the exception of the Winooski Valley. There's still obviously high peaks causing a barrier, but there's also more lower elevation gaps. I notice it because up there even a blocked flow from the NW will push snow to the east slopes to some degree, but down here south of like Johnson/Cambridge, it's a more defined east and west side of the Spine.

[Nittany88]

Yeah up there too doesn't have as pronounced of a Spine as the Mansfield-Bolton-Sugarbush stretch with the exception of the Winooski Valley. There's still obviously high peaks causing a barrier, but there's also more lower elevation gaps. I notice it because up there even a blocked flow from the NW will push snow to the east slopes to some degree, but down here south of like Johnson/Cambridge, it's a more defined east and west side of the Spine.

 

Yeah Jay Peak starts the barrier, but there's really not much north of it in Canada.

[eyewall]

Nice shot!

 

Thank you! The key is getting on to those dirt roads where you can safely take shots almost anywhere. You have been posting some winners yourself!

[ApacheTrout]

Heavy leaf drop lately...almost like we are sailing past peak foliage. Amazing how fast that transitioned happened this year. Literally days from green, to vibrant color, and now above 1,500ft is still good color but a lot more bare sections of trees.

Even in town the leaf drop is very noticeable with some trees almost bare in spots, mostly low lying swampy areas though.

I'd say were a good 10 days ahead of peak compared to the last few years.  When family visits from southern California, I generally tell them October 6-10 is a good bet, especially for the Champlain Valley and southward.  This year, they'd be out of luck, as the trees will be bare by then.

[tamarack]

I'd say were a good 10 days ahead of peak compared to the last few years.  When family visits from southern California, I generally tell them October 6-10 is a good bet, especially for the Champlain Valley and southward.  This year, they'd be out of luck, as the trees will be bare by then.

 

That's about how I'd estimate progress in western Maine.  It's near peak with about 20% leaf drop.  IMO, the reds this year are outstanding, best in several years, while other colors are about avg.

[powderfreak]

From BTV...

 

[powderfreak]

Some photos from yesterday and today around the concrete jungle of Stowe.

 

Color still good in the lower elevations...but the reds are fading in spots.  Lots of yellow and orange left though.

 

Upper elevations are definitely past peak.  Like this photo, the first hill goes up to about 1,500ft and then the second hill hitting the low clouds at 2,500ft is past peak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[powderfreak]

I gotta say, this is the time of year when dirt roads and back roads are so peaceful.

 

 

You can be driving through a tunnel of foliage, then burst out into fields with awesome views, then back into the foliage tunnel.

 

Again, can see the whole higher elevations are losing their punch and vibrancy.  This photo is from about 900ft looking up at 2,500ft.

 

[eekuasepinniW]

rip leaves

[Ginx snewx]

From NBC 30, dull brown NECT

[powderfreak]

Waterbury, VT today...

[Nittany88]

Thank you! The key is getting on to those dirt roads where you can safely take shots almost anywhere. You have been posting some winners yourself!

 

Yeah man it is tough on the main roads! Lol.

 

Some photos from yesterday and today around the concrete jungle of Stowe.

 

Color still good in the lower elevations...but the reds are fading in spots.  Lots of yellow and orange left though.

 

Upper elevations are definitely past peak.  Like this photo, the first hill goes up to about 1,500ft and then the second hill hitting the low clouds at 2,500ft is past peak.

 

IMG_3810_edited-1.jpg

 

IMG_3821_edited-2.jpg

 

IMG_3825_edited-2.jpg

 

IMG_3832_edited-2.jpg

 

Awesome. Stowe/Smuggler's Notch has gotta be the Crown Jewel of Fall in Vermont.