Fall color is expected to be good this season, but a little later than usual, according to Department of Conservation foresters.
Warm, sunny days and cool nights favor the development of brilliant foliage.
Salem MDC Resource Forester Mike Fiaoni said with the recent moisture we’ve received and cooler nights we should have some nice colors.
“We could be on track for some really good color, if we don’t get heavy storms to knock the leaves off, by about Oct. 25 we should see really nice color enhancement,” Fiaoni said. “The best color will likely be about a week later than usual this year.”
Fall colors in southern Missouri, where most of Mark Twain National Forest is located, usually peak mid to late October. Colors start in northern Missouri and move south starting in September through early November, depending on weather.
Among the most scenic drives to take locally are trips to Montauk State Park, Council Bluff or Suttons Bluff.
Fiaoni said short trips that should be colorful include a drive to Shawnee Mac Lakes (formerly Ziske Lakes) off Tenth Street and Dents Ford Road and along Rt. 119 and the back road to Montauk Spring. The hiking trail at Shawnee Mac Lakes should also have some good color.
“Another 30-minute route that I think would be good is the Blackwell Lake at the Indian Trail Conservation Area off Hwy. 19 North,” Fiaoni said. “We recently poured a concrete pad area and this week we will be moving a picnic table there, providing a nice sitting area for a great overview of the lake and some great fall colors.”
Other recommended drives include up highway 68 to Highway 8, then east to Steelville and back to Salem on highway 19.
Fiaoni said for those wanting a longer scenic trip, the hillsides between Salem and Jefferson City should offer some nice color.
For fall color updates, visit mdc.mo.gov/nathis/seasons/fall/.
For visitors who want to check for fall colors, there are several favorite drives in each of Mark Twain National Forest’s districts.
Around the Rolla area, travel south eight miles on Highway 63 to Lake Spring.
From Salem, the area on Hwy A between Hwy. 19 and Bunker would be a beautiful scenic road trip.
If heading across southern Missouri, State Highway 60 has a number of vistas.
MDC foresters say we’re already seeing sumac along the highways beginning to turn red, and they are hoping for more reds, purples and yellows in the next few weeks. For the Missouri Department of
The Conservation Department’s weekly fall color report can be viewed at
To track color nationally, call 800-554-4595 or visit http://www.fs.fed.us/fallcolors/2012/index.shtml.
Woodlands along rivers are among the best spots for viewing fall color. A wide variety of trees and shrubs set those areas aglow with golden yellows, deep oranges and rich reds and purples. Valleys along rivers also are likely to sport more vivid foliage than higher, drier areas. The fall colors usually last about two weeks, depending on the species of tree.
The most important factor in triggering fall color is length of day. That doesn't change from year to year.
Some plants are more sensitive to temperature changes than others. Sumac bushes, Virginia creeper vines and sassafras and walnut trees are the first to change colors. Some individual plants of these species began changing color early.
Ash, cherry, cottonwood and redbud trees typically change color a little later. Oaks, maples, hickories and sweetgum trees are less sensitive to temperature changes and undergo fall color changes at pretty much the same time every year.
