Maine Foliage Report September 18

In anticipation of one of the brightest seasons yet for Fall Foliage, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Parks and Public Lands has announced that it is offering free guided fall foliage tours at several state parks and public reserved lands beginning Friday, September 28th.

The first tours of the season will take place at Mount Blue State Park in Weld (Zone 5), Little Moose Public Reserved Lands, Greenville (Zone 5) and Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle (Zone 7). These areas are reporting moderate color changes of 30% to 50% with low leaf drop of at least 10%. For more information and skill levels for the tours/hikes go to www.parksandlands.com.

Other parts of the Maine are experiencing subtle color changes of between 10% - 30% with low leaf drop at less than 10%.

“Throughout the tours, foresters will be on hand to answer questions such as why do leaves change colors or what triggers leaf drop, just to name a few,” said Gale Ross, Foliage spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

The drop in temperature into the low 40s and waning daylight created optimal conditions for gradual leaf color from north to south with peak conditions culminating in late October.

For continuous weekly updates every Wednesday through October 16th visit the state’s official foliage website www.mainefoliage.com Visitors can receive weekly reports by e-mails and share the photos of the riot of color throughout the state as the leaves slowly change. Additionally, the foliage website will list the fall foliage ranger-led hikes in the state parks.