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August 31, 2006
RAINY SUMMER PROMISES STUNNING FALL COLOR
Ohioans Can Enjoy Fall Foliage Beauty Close To Home
 Columbus, OH Higher than average rainfall this summer should produce brilliant fall foliage, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). And high gasoline prices need not keep Ohioans from enjoying the Fall Color season.
Most Ohioans live within an hour’s drive of a state park, forest or nature preserve. Recreational trails and local parks expand Ohio residents’ opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the fall season close to home.
“It’s been a wonderful growing season in our state forests and nature preserves,” said Casey Munchel, service forester and fall color expert with the ODNR Division of Forestry. “The rain has supported good growth rates, producing thick leaf cover on trees and bushes. Once the nights become cool in late September, leaves will begin turning brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow.”
To help Ohioans plan their seasonal outings, ODNR will begin issuing weekly Fall Color updates on September 28. The weekly Fall Color forecast will be available by calling the state’s travel and tourism hotline at 1-800-BUCKEYE. It offers current reports on peak viewing opportunities at state parks, forests and nature preserves.
Photos showing the progress of autumn across Ohio this year will be posted regularly on the department’s web page, ohiodnr.com . Ohioans will be able to submit their own photographs for inclusion on the web page, which will offer suggestions for prime viewing and picture-taking locations.
Leaves begin to turn color first in northern Ohio in late September, with color quickly progressing through the southern part of the state by mid-October. Ohio offers a diverse palette of autumn colors because many trees are on the edge of their ranges. The leaves of most of the state’s hardwoods turn red or yellow, but variations of orange, purple and dark russet are also common.
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