| Maine
boasts some of the most brilliant and colorful fall foliage in all
of New England! Foliage in the state usually peaks between the last
week of September and the second week of October. Weather conditions
are the key in determining the intensity of foliage color, with
the primary factors being temperature and moisture. Ideal conditions
are a warm, wet spring, good summer weather, and a warm, sunny fall
with moderately cool evening temperatures. A late spring or severe
summer drought can delay the onset of the foliage season. An unusually
warm fall will produce subdued color intensity in the foliage.
Leaf
colors are typically grouped in these four categories: BROWNS:
Black and White Oak; PURPLES: White Ash and Witch Hazel; REDS
& SCARLETS: Hornbeam, Red, Mountain & Sugar Maple and
Black, Red, Scarlet & White Oak; YELLOWS: Green & Black
Ash, Basswood, Beech, Birches, Butternut, Elm and Maple (Boxelder,
Mountain, Silver, Striped & Sugar), Mountain Ash, Poplar,
Serviceberry, Willow and Witch Hazel.
This
season always proves to be a wonderful time (and a "great
photo opportunity") for amateur and professional photographers
alike!...along with those tourists just enjoying the scenery at
a slower, more relaxed pace! Click on the below links for additional
information about regional Fall Foliage Touring. For a map of
Maine (PDF file) click
here. |
