According to an Appalachian State University biologist, Howard Neufeld, the conditions are right for a colorful Leaf Season in the High Country this year. Neufeld is a physiological plant ecologist who looks at environmental factors that affect plants. “If weather stays like it has….sunny days with cold nights, we will have good fall colors,” Neufeld said. “If it’s cloudy, there’s not as much photosynthesis.”
Neufeld applies observation and comparison of past years in making his determinations, and he is one of the main prognosticators for the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. Beginning Sept. 14, he will be featured at VisitNC.org.
Neufeld said if trees have a good September, they can still keep compounds in leaves that contribute to bright yellows and reds. “An absence of severe drought, with a clear, sunny and cool September, usually means a really colorful year,” he said. “It looks like it’s going to be early this year.”
Despite last year’s drought, trees made a recovery in September, evidence of the short-term change that can offset other climate factors. Neufelt explains that trees cue in on day length, linked to latitude, and cue in secondarily on temperature.
“If you get a certain day length, generally here at this elevation, peak color is in mid-October,” Neufeld said. “If it is a really cool, they think it is in the fall season. Unusually low temperatures this summer could have some effect on the fall colors, as trees respond to long-term temperatures.
Just like the weather, though, color tends to vary with location. “Because temperature is such a factor, the peak in Boone is normally in mid-October, but fall color starts first at the higher elevations,” Neufeld said. “For every thousand feet, you can go down about a weak (for fall color).”
The reason people enjoy viewing the leaves changing in the High Country? “We have a greater diversity of trees,” Neufeld said, citing Elk Knob and Howard’s Knob as the best places to get 360-degree views of the mountains.
Is it any wonder why we love living in these mountains? We have something to look forward to with each season! Boone NC Real Estate and Blowing Rock NC Real Estate are two of the other reasons I love living here–I love helping clients find the just-right second home and helping seller clients meet their goals in relocating.
Let me know how I can help…and we’ll talk again,
Lisa
Tags: Blowing Rock NC Fall Leaf Season, Boone NC Fall Leaf Season, Fall Color Season, Forecast for Fall Leaf Season