Fall Color Begins to Reveal Itself as Season Changes

ODNR Fall Foliage Update #1 – September 22

COLUMBUS, OH – As the calendar ushers in the autumn season, Ohio’s woodlands are beginning their beautiful transformation as their canopies change from lush green to warm shades of gold, orange and red. Peak color is still a few weeks away for most of the state.

“Most parts of the Buckeye State are starting to notice the first hints of fall color as vivid yellow and gold leaves begin to appear, along with a scattering of red and orange ones,” said Casey Burdick, from the ODNR Division of Forestry.  “Buckeye trees have lost there yellow leaves a little early this year because they are found in lower lying areas and are slightly stressed by the drought we have had this summer.  But it is a good year for finding the Buckeye nuts on the ground.”  

Most ODNR facilities are reporting that less than 25 percent of the trees have changed color this week. However, Burdick noted that most of the spotty color is ash and maples, which are showing dark purples and reds, especially in urban areas, where the trees may be slightly stress due to drought. Cooler nights should enhance the onset of good fall color and add more variety to the landscape in coming weeks.

The scenic landscape is a special invitation to head outdoors. Some will choose to take part in outdoor traditions such as dove or squirrel hunting while others will enjoy seasonal campouts and events at Ohio state parks and nature preserves. And for the avid hunters, don’t forget that archery season for deer starts Saturday, September 25.

This coming weekend, check out one of the following events at one of your Ohio State Parks…

Fall Harvest Fest, Burr Oak (SE), Sept. 24-26 at the lodge.  Arts, crafts and entertainment.  740-767-2112

Frontier Days, Scioto Trail (SE), Sept. 24-26 at the Caldwell Lake campground.  Heritage themed activities and old fashioned treats.  740-887-4818

Fall Festival, Indian Lake (NW) - Sept. 24-26. Crafts, games, square dancing, pony rides, archery & a hot air balloon lift-off. 937-843-2717 or 937-843-3553.

Fall Campout, Pymatuning (NE) - Sept. 24-26. Campsite decorating, kids’ activities, boat rides & a potluck dinner. 440-293-6684.

Scary Tales, Findley (NE) - Sept. 25, 7PM at Picnic Point. Spooky stories & campfire treats. 440-647-5749.

Fall Festival, Kelleys Island (NW) - Sept. 25 at the campground. Pumpkin carving, chili dinner & a bonfire. 419-746-2546.

Ohio Heritage Days, Malabar Farm (NE) - Sept. 25-26, 10-4 PM daily. 75 traditional crafters, antique tractors & living history. 35th annual event. 419-892-2784.

Paw-Paw Hike, Caesar Creek (SW) - Sept. 26, 2 pm at the nature center to car pool to the great paw-paw patch.  For more information, call 513-897-2437

To find out more about these and other events, visit www.ohiodnr.com. The site will serve as a premier guide to Ohio’s fall color season. Its pages provide information for travelers who want to map a scenic road trip, adventurers who are refreshed and energized by the cool autumn weather, vacationers who seek places of solace to enjoy the changing seasons and even the students who need a resource for leaf collection projects. Ohioans and out-of-state visitors can also find information about fall foliage by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE or visiting www.discoverohio.com/autumnadventures.

Ohio's 74 state parks, 21 state forests and 134 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to view fall foliage. Here are the most current reports from selected locations:

Location	Region	Color Condition
Alum/Delaware Creek State Parks	Central	Near Peak
Beaver Creek/Guilford Lake State Parks	East	Changing
Blackhand Gorge Nature Preserve	Central	Changing
Dillon/Blue Rock State Parks	East	Changing
Buck Creek State Park	West	Changing
Burr Oak State Park	Southeast	Changing
Caesar Creek State Park	Southwest	Changing
Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve	West	Changing
Deer Creek State Park	Central	Changing
Harrison Lake State Park/Forest	Northwest	Changing
Hocking Hills State Park/Forest	Southeast	Changing
Hueston Woods State Park	Southwest	Changing
Indian Lake State Park	West	Changing
John Bryan State Park	West	Changing
Kent Bog Nature Preserve	Northeast	Changing
Kiser Lake State Park	West	Changing
Lake Hope State Park	Southeast	Changing
Malabar Farm State Park	Northeast	Changing
Maumee State Park/Forest	Northwest	Changing
Mohican State Park/Forest	Northeast	Changing
Mt. Gilead State Park	Central	Near Peak
Pike Lake/Paint Creek State Parks	Southwest	Changing
Punderson State Park	Northeast	Changing
Quail Hollow State Park	Northeast	Changing
Salt Fork State Park	East	Changing
Shawnee State Park	Southwest	Changing
Sycamore State Park	West	Changing
Tar Hollow State Park/Forest	Southeast	Changing
Triangle Lake Bog	Northeast	Changing
Van Buren State Park	Northwest	Changing
Zaleski State Forest	Southeast	Changing

COLOR CONDITION KEY: Changing – Still mostly green, less than 25 percent color. Near Peak – Significant color showing – anywhere from 30 to 60 percent color. Peak – Peak colors – as much as 85 percent showing. Fading – Fading from peak conditions and leaves falling to forest floor.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of updates that will highlight some of the best locations to enjoy Ohio’s fall color season. ODNR’s web site will post updated reports each Wednesday. News releases will be issued weekly by ODNR on Wednesday mornings to announce the reports, now through early November. Also online see fall foliage video reports with information from ODNR’s fall color specialist, Casey Burdick.

For further information, contact:
Casey Burdick, ODNR Division of Forestry
614. 212. 3286
Jason Fallon, ODNR External Affairs
614. 265. 6842