Maryland DNR's Fall Foliage Forecast 2023
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fall officially kicks off Saturday, September 23, 2023—the same day as the autumn equinox—in the Northern Hemisphere. Many of us in Maryland are looking forward to leaving behind the days of record-breaking heat and welcoming clear, blue skies, cooler evenings and autumnal tree canopies. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources once again will present its weekly Fall Foliage Report, posted online and sent by email bulletin to subscribers.
What can we expect from fall foliage this year and when can leaf peepers catch a glimpse of fall’s best colors?
What the Science Says
For years, scientists have worked to understand the changes that occur in trees and shrubs during autumn, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, but they can agree that three primary factors influence autumn leaf color: leaf pigments, length of night, and weather.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources State Forest Manager Melissa Nash explains. “During the warmer summer months, leaves are green due to the chlorophyll pigment. Along with that green pigment are hidden yellow to orange tones called xanthophyll and carotenes (these are the same type of pigments that give carrots their orange color).”
But what causes the transition from green to shades of orange, yellow and red? Nash points to the length of daylight and cooling temperatures characteristic of fall months.
“As fall approaches, changes in the length of daylight and decreasing temperatures cause the leaves to stop their food making process of photosynthesis. When this happens, the chlorophyll breaks down and the green color begins to disappear, revealing yellows and oranges. Around this same time, some trees also produce pigments called anthocyanins which cause red to purplish tones.”
So when can we expect to see the leaves start to change in Maryland? The Department of Natural Resources’ foresters offer their expert predictions, beginning with the state’s westernmost counties. View the full forecast here.
