Fall color this week here in Des Moines is pretty much exactly where we were last week. We virtually made no progression in fall colors with the exception that I’ve seen a few more sugar maples turning orange and red. Over all I rate Low color for Des Moines with only 20% ( same as last week ) of trees showing color. Trees that have turned last week are quickly loosing leaves and even becoming bare. Bottomland trees such as Cottonwood and willows are just loosing leaves without even turning a color. Overall though when I look across the entire tree canopy I am amazed and how much is still green, even still looking summer-like in most areas. It will probably be towards the end of October that we peak in this part of Iowa.

 

Here is our brand new fall color map Thanks to Henry L. As for the Iowa fall color report. All cities are reporting low color and showing no change. This all true with the exception of Spencer, which is now reporting moderate color. The state fall color report says fall color is most brilliant near the Minnesota border on the northwest side of the state. One thing I am noticing though is that more brilliant color is slowing moving southward from the north. I expect that more color will begin to show up in northern Iowa in the next 7 days and should show up here on my next report next week. Cooler nights will trigger better colors.