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Sep 22

Written by: news editor
9/22/2009 1:00 AM 

09/22/09 Ohio’s woodlands are beginning their beautiful transformation as their canopies change from lush green to warm shades of gold, orange and red.

Fall Color Begins to Reveal Itself as Season Changes

ODNR Fall Foliage Update #1 – September 22
 
COLUMBUS, OH – As the calendar ushers in the autumn season, Ohio’s woodlands are beginning their beautiful transformation as their canopies change from lush green to warm shades of gold, orange and red. Peak color is still a few weeks away for most of the state.
 
“Most parts of the Buckeye State are starting to notice the first hints of fall color as vivid yellow and gold leaves begin to appear, along with a scattering of red and orange ones,” said Casey Munchel, of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “Buckeye trees are turning yellow and poison ivy and Virginia creeper are beginning to turn bright red throughout parts of northern and central Ohio.”
Most ODNR facilities are reporting that less than 25 percent of the trees have changed color this week. However, Munchel noted that most of the spotty color is on honey locust trees, which seem to be experiencing a great deal of spider mite damage causing the leaves to turn prematurely yellow. Cooler nights should enhance the onset of good fall color and add more variety to the landscape in coming weeks.
 

The scenic landscape is a special invitation to head outdoors. Some will choose to take part in outdoor traditions such as dove or squirrel hunting while others will enjoy seasonal campouts and events at Ohio state parks and nature preserves.

This weekend, family-friendly activities are planned at Beaver Creek State Park, Columbiana County; Caesar Creek State Park, Warren County; Cleveland Lakefront State Park, Cuyahoga County; Clifton Gorge State Scenic River, Greene County; Delaware State Park, Delaware County; Hueston Woods State Park, Butler County; Indian Lake State Park, Logan County; Little Miami State Park, Warren County;Malabar Farm State Park, Ashland County; Scioto Trail State Park, Ross County; Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve, Columbiana County; Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve, Erie County; Stonelick State Park, Clermont County and Van Buren State Park, Hancock County.

To find out more about these and other events, visit www.ohiodnr.com. The site will serve as a premier guide to Ohio’s fall color season. Its pages provide information for travelers who want to map a scenic road trip, adventurers who are refreshed and energized by the cool autumn weather, vacationers who seek places of solace to enjoy the changing seasons and even the students who need a resource for leaf collection projects. Ohioans and out-of-state visitors can also find information about fall foliage by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE or visiting www.discoverohio.com/autumnadventures.
Ohio's 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 134 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to view fall foliage. Here are the most current reports from selected locations:
 

Location
Region
Color Condition
A.W. Marion State Park
Central
Changing
Alum Creek State Park
Central
Changing
Beaver Creek/Guilford Lake State Parks
East
Changing
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve
Central
Changing
Buckeye Lake State Park
Central
Changing
Dillon/Blue Rock State Parks
East
Changing
Buck Creek State Park
West
Changing
Burr Oak State Park
Southeast
Changing
Caesar Creek State Park
Southwest
Changing
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
West
Changing
Deer Creek State Park
Central
Changing
Harrison Lake State Park
Northwest
Changing
Hocking Hills State Park
Southeast
Changing
Hueston Woods State Park
Southwest
Changing
Indian Lake State Park
West
Changing
John Bryan State Park
West
Changing
Kent Bog State Nature Preserve
Northeast
Changing
Kiser Lake State Park
West
Changing
Lake Hope State Park
Southeast
Changing
Malabar Farm State Park
Northeast
Changing
Maumee State Park/Forest
Northwest
Changing
Mohican State Park
Northeast
Changing
Mt. Gilead State Park
Central
Changing
Pike Lake/Paint Creek
Southwest
Changing
Punderson State Park
Northeast
Changing
Quail Hollow State Park
Northeast
Changing
Salt Fork State Park
East
Changing
Shawnee State Park
Southwest
Changing
Sycamore State Park
West
Changing
Tar Hollow State Park
Southeast
Changing
Triangle Lake Bog State Nature Preserve
Northeast
Changing
Van Buren State Park
Northwest
Changing
Zaleski State Forest
Southeast
Changing

 

COLOR CONDITION KEY: Changing – Still mostly green, less than 25 percent color. Near Peak – Significant color showing – anywhere from 30 to 60 percent color. Peak – Peak colors – as much as 85 percent showing. Fading – Fading from peak conditions and leaves falling to forest floor.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of updates that will highlight some of the best locations to enjoy Ohio’s fall color season. ODNR’s web site will post updated reports each Monday. News releases will be issued weekly by ODNR to announce the reports, now through early November. Also online, starting September 30, hear fall foliage podcasts with information from ODNR’s fall color specialist, Casey Munchel.
 
 
 
For further information, contact:
Casey Munchel, ODNR Division of Forestry
513. 932. 6836
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860

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