PARK RAPIDS, Minn. — The fall equinox on Sept. 22 marked the official change of season, but fall colors had already been on display by then in some parts of northern Minnesota.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the change in color was somewhat earlier than usual, but that is not surprising given the weather conditions northern Minnesota experienced this summer.
“I think we’re a little early this year because of the dry conditions,” Park Rapids Area DNR Forestry Supervisor Mike Lichter said, “but looking at the forecast, I think it’s shaping up to be a pretty good year.”
While leaf color is at peak or past peak in much of northern Minnesota, colors should start popping more prominently in the St. Paul area by next week, according to the DNR’s latest fall color map.
Lichter said drought conditions will often affect the timing and, at times, the intensity of fall colors. Detrimental weather, such as hail, or exterior stressors like fungi and “decomposer” insects, may also have an impact on fall colors.
“The colors happen when chlorophyll — the green pigment that is present during photosynthesis — breaks down in the fall,” Lichter said. “As that fades and leaves some sugars and other compounds behind, that’s where you get your color. If that process is premature, a lot of times, it doesn’t have near the color that you’re hoping to see, and then the leaves are gone.”
The DNR forecast ideal conditions for a vibrant, colorful fall, but Lichter admits changes in the weather forecast or environmental stressors can quickly change those predictions.
The department has posted a map showing daily fall color conditions at dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors.
“Our predictions are about like weather predictions,” Lichter said. “I would say last year was a great example. We had pretty dismal predictions because of how dry it was, and I think it ended up being one of the better fall color seasons I’ve ever seen.
“How was the summer weather? Super dry or cold and wet? Both will have a detrimental impact on the color, because those leaves are not as healthy coming into the time you want to see them.”
Though the color is “a little early” this year by DNR standards, Lichter said there is no reason to be concerned for local tree health, and the color change has come later than in years past.
“If you look way back to drought years like we had this year, you can start getting birch trees turning in late July,” he said. “This year, there was a pretty slow change in color throughout August and into September.”
