While the foliage typically begins to turn colors in Aroostook County sooner than anywhere else in New England, the process seems to be starting earlier this year.
Leaves started turning vibrant hues in early August, and according to Aroostook County Forester Dave Rochester of the Maine Forest Service, summer conditions have been favorable for a bright and colorful fall.
“Things are looking good,” Rochester said, “Last fall wasn’t very vibrant because there were lots of clouds, lots of rain and not a lot of sunshine,” he explained. “Certain conditions favor maximum leaf coloration, like a good summer rainfall, a good, bright sun for adequate sugar accumulation and then bright, cool sunny weather going toward fall without a frost.”
Not that all trees are color-coded, but foresters usually can identify a tree by looking at its hue: Red maples and oaks tend to turn bright red or scarlet; yellow leaves are characteristic of ash, beach, birch, box elder and poplar trees; while an almost fluorescent orange is typically the signature shade of a sugar maple.
Leaf color isn’t exclusively indicative of tree species, and to help educate the public on the subject, the Maine Forest Service will hold a color and tree identification tour on Sunday, Sept. 19, at Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle.
“For many, fall is their favorite time of year and people are anxious to get their first look at the scenes,” said Leslie Jackson, tourism coordinator at the Northern Maine Development Council.
“Aroostook offers magical and breathtaking views, especially along the Fish River Scenic Byway on Route 11 and the Million Dollar View Byway on Route 1,” she said. “Big Rock in Mars Hill offers leaf-peeping rides up the ski lift; this runs three to four weekends and is a very popular tourist destination.”