After a fast start to the fall color season, fall color progression has really slowed this week because of a spell of summer-like temperatures where we had several days in the low to mid 80s. This caused the trees that have turned to start dropping leaves quite fast, but delayed others from really turning. Ash trees are loosing leaves at a fast rate now. About the only change in Des Moines this week from last week is that more ash and some hackberry have turned and I am now seeing a few Sugar maples starting to turn orange, but for the most part I have only see dull yellow to golden yellow in those trees mentioned. In areas where there are an abundance of earlier changing trees it may appear more colorful, but mid to late turning trees are still green

As I look at the entire tree canopy there is a large percentage that has not turned. I would say were up to 20%-Low color in Des Moines and thats about it. This was enough to move us into the low category. Cold weather is expecting to move in this week which should push our fall colors out more.

 

Little has changed in the fall color report. The only difference is that remainder of Iowa was put into the low color category. Much of Iowa is still green at this time. Reading the state fall color report showed little change from last week in terms of color. Hopefully the next weeks colder weather will push the trees to begin turning more. If you want to see stunning fall color head to northern Minnesota and Wisconsin! Their report shows that area is peaking right now.