COLUMBUS, OH -- Above average moisture levels across most of Ohio over the past several months could be setting the stage for a beautiful Fall Color season in the state's woodlands, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
"Due to adequate rainfall this summer, Ohio's forests are in good condition and are poised to show their fall beauty," said Bill Schultz, fall color expert with the ODNR Division of Forestry. "Trees, bushes and grasses have responded to all the rain with thick leaf cover. These conditions can provide a good transition into autumn foliage. All we need is a little help from Mother Nature in the form of sunny days and cool nights in mid-to-late September for leaves to begin turning brilliant red, yellow and orange."
To help Ohioans better plan their fall viewing road trips and other seasonal outings, ODNR will begin issuing weekly Fall Color updates on September 25.
The weekly Fall Color forecast is available by calling the state's travel and tourism hotline at 1-800-BUCKEYE. It offers on-the-spot reports from state parks, forests and nature preserves throughout Ohio, helping Fall Color lovers to identify the best locations for peak viewing.
Internet users can access a full menu of Fall Color information on the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com. The site allows viewers to watch time-lapsed video of last year's Fall Color season. Photos showing the progress of autumn across Ohio this year will also be posted on the web site on a regular basis. The site also recommends the best driving routes to see Fall Color, as well as the best hiking and biking trails, as well as the best places to take Fall Color pictures.
Fall arrives first in northern Ohio in late September and progresses quickly southward, peaking in most areas by mid October. Because many trees are on the edges of their ranges in Ohio, the state offers a diverse palette of color. Most of the state's hardwoods turn either red or yellow. But many trees can have variations of orange, purple and dark russet.
Ohio's state parks, nature preserves and forests offer a variety of viewing opportunities for those seeking the best of Fall Color.