Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Steve Shaw Date: 05 Oct 16 - 07:37 PM I never let dead leaves lie. I rake them up ad stack them, though not on their own which would mean waiting at least two years for usable leaf mould. I stack the leaves with the abundant grass clippings that my large garden yields. That way, I get a really good compost in six months. Bob Flowerdew calls it accelerated leaf mould. I have access to abundant leaves and so much lawn clipping that it's my chief source of organic matter. Can't afford to be lazy in autumn - gotta get out there and rake up them leaves! |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: keberoxu Date: 05 Oct 16 - 06:35 PM Today there was a metal rake for dead leaves, lying smack dab in the middle of my lane on the highway. Thankfully my car was able to pass over the rake with the tires on either side of the tines... |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Steve Shaw Date: 05 Oct 16 - 11:08 AM I meant daylength, not daylight, in my first line. Damn that autocorrect rubbish. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Steve Shaw Date: 05 Oct 16 - 11:07 AM Whilst gnu is correct in linking daylight to leaf-fall, according to species there is considerable environmental input when it comes to colour. Water availability, or lack of it, in summer and low autumn temperatures can have an impact on colour. A tree sheds leaves in autumn because they would be a liability in winter - too little light to help them to do their job, too much exposure to damage caused by severe weather, worsened physiological drought caused by water loss from leaves in hard frosts, fully-laden trees more susceptible to being blown down, etc. Trees that keep their leaves in winter have strategies such as waxy leaf cuticles, thick epidermises, sunken stomata and reduced individual leaf area (though more actual leaves, as in conifers). Their branches may be so disposed as to shed snow more easily. Obviously, not having to replace all your leaves at once in spring saves energy. Evergreen trees do lose leaves but in a constant trickle. Leaf-fall is also the way trees get rid of some waste products such as tannins and calcium oxalate. Leaf-fall is a tree's way of going to the toilet. They get away with doing it in public in a way that neither you nor I ever could. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Steve Shaw Date: 05 Oct 16 - 10:52 AM A good berry crop is simply a sign that the trees have had a good spring and summer with excellent pollination success. Nothing else! |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Charmion Date: 05 Oct 16 - 10:36 AM No frost here, yet -- most unusual. Normally, the first frost comes on the heels of the Equinox. Today's forecast high is 24 Celsius -- unheard-of. Thanks for the datum on what triggers the change of colour, gnu. Now, why does my neighbour's ornamental cherry start turning red in August? (My money's on air pollution; the poor thing is downwind of three bus stops serving three routes.) |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: gnu Date: 04 Oct 16 - 04:36 PM Leaves turn colour based on the amount of daylight per day but warm temperatures can delay the turn for about a week, tops. Please note that Mother Nature has her own calendar and the full moon is shortly after midnight on the 16th. I don't know if she is a member of Mudcat or not. If so, PM her and ask. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Senoufou Date: 04 Oct 16 - 12:31 PM We have noticed a good crop of berries here too Steve. Do you think it means we shall have a hard winter after the long, hot summer? (I've just ordered some more heating oil, just in case!) |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: bbc Date: 04 Oct 16 - 11:10 AM In the U.S.--starting in Connecticut, Massachusetts, & New York. Lovely! Barbara |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Steve Shaw Date: 04 Oct 16 - 10:43 AM A good frost is paramount when it comes to autumn colour. One of the few downsides of living in Cornwall is that we rarely get frost in autumn. By the time we get a good chill we've had a gale or two and most of the leaves have gone (a lot of 'em into my leafmould heap). Good crops of berries this year to keep the birds going. My flower garden is still looking pretty good. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Stu Date: 04 Oct 16 - 10:30 AM Here in the lea of the Peak District the colours are starting nicely. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Donuel Date: 03 Oct 16 - 07:39 PM 0 in DC This year being the hottest global average temp in written history, Kendal was right ahead of time. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Senoufou Date: 03 Oct 16 - 05:18 PM Far too warm here in Eastern England for any autumn foliage yet. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: keberoxu Date: 03 Oct 16 - 05:03 PM We are getting it going around here, in any case. The maples are working the whole spectrum: some die-hard maple leaves remain green while others go yellow or red. Those vine leaves are flaming as well. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Janie Date: 04 Oct 05 - 10:14 AM On the way into Camp Ramblewood, there is a house that always has an incredible bank of mixed chrysanthemums right along a stone wall on the road. I always look for it. I am not a big mum fan, but this is truly lovely. Keep your eyes peeled if you ae going to the Getaway! Janie |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: jaze Date: 04 Oct 05 - 09:30 AM Oh Liz, that sounds so poetic. Can I come for the ride? |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: RangerSteve Date: 04 Oct 05 - 09:15 AM We haven't had much rain here in New Jersey for a while, and some trees here are shedding leaves without changing color. But my asters are blooming, and that makes up for the lack of leaf color. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Ebbie Date: 04 Oct 05 - 12:48 AM KT informs me that the only crunchy, scuffly leaves I found the other day were those that she had attacked with her hair dryer. She claims that the only dry, brittle leaves around here are those on the basil plant in her kitchen. She would like more - much more - sun. She is a bitter woman. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: MMario Date: 03 Oct 05 - 04:27 PM But we want the best of both worlds for your visit - Peak Autumn colour AND Indian Summer. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Mrs.Duck Date: 03 Oct 05 - 04:25 PM If the fall colours could wait a week or two and temperatures stay high I'd be very happy! |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Liz the Squeak Date: 03 Oct 05 - 02:57 PM It's starting to turn pretty here in the UK... Micca's virgina creeper is blushing red in the sun, mine is still green as grass. I'm driving down to the proper country tomorrow so I shall look out for the bracken turning gold as I go over the heathland in the New Forest. LTS |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: MarkS Date: 03 Oct 05 - 02:45 PM Still too dry and too warm here in New Jersey. We will probably get nothing but a quick browning and fall without any color to speak of. I recall you need a spell of rain at just the right time before the change for the colors to be really spectacular. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 03 Oct 05 - 02:33 PM Years ago in school I was told that to get beautiful fall colors we need warm days and chilly nights. The warm days would encourage chemical activity in the leaves, and the chilly nights would reduce chlorophyll, letting the minor, and colorful, components be seen. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Donuel Date: 03 Oct 05 - 01:18 PM Its peaking way upstate in NY. In MD there is really no trace of color. We have had times when the trees were bare by Halloween and times when the leaves still up after Thanksgiving. During the hurricaines we had no chem trails in the sky at all for over 2 weeks. Now they are back and more numerous than usual with pale blue grey skies as they spread out. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Rapparee Date: 03 Oct 05 - 12:51 PM Our temps too, Ebbie. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Ebbie Date: 03 Oct 05 - 12:46 PM I just checked the long rang weather forecast for Darlington, Maryland (Is that the closest weather station?) and it supposedly will remain very warm there until October 12th, when it cools into the 60s... Does that mean that the trend will continue and by the weekend the temperatures will be in the 40s-50s? Oh, woe is me. Juneau temps currently range from lows of 30 degrees to highs of 55-60. However, I don't sit around outdoors; brisk walking is encouraged. By the way, our colors are bright this year, interspersed among our conifers. The leaves are dry and brittle and make a wonderful scuffly sound. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Janie Date: 03 Oct 05 - 12:09 PM Leo, either one or both (which you gave me.) Of course, where I live we grow a lot of things that are basically tropical or subtropical. The first frost, whether it is heavy or not, kills a bunch of stuff to the ground. Our average first frost date is mid October. Hard frost may not come until December. Weird weather year about everywhere, I think. Seems like our seasons and climate are increasingly unpredictable--no such thing as "normal" anymore. I'm more and more convinced we are undergoing significant climate change. Think we should bring long johns AND swimsuits to the Getaway? Janie |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: MMario Date: 03 Oct 05 - 11:37 AM Sept. 20-something for average first frost - or do you mean first "killing frost"? which is October something I believe. |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Janie Date: 03 Oct 05 - 11:32 AM That's what I'm wondering, Kendall. Leo--what is your average first frost date? Janie |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: MMario Date: 03 Oct 05 - 11:25 AM no frost predicted for us until *maybe* the end of next week. we're supposed to get some 80 degree days this week! |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: kendall Date: 03 Oct 05 - 11:25 AM Global warming? |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Janie Date: 03 Oct 05 - 11:19 AM Here in the "Southern Part of Heaven" it has been so dry for so long that some leaves are simply browning and dropping. We also haven't even had any cool weather, much less a frost. I don't think we are going to have much color in these parts this fall. I'm beginning to wonder if we are going to have "fall" at all. Janie;<( |
Subject: RE: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: Rapparee Date: 03 Oct 05 - 11:04 AM The mountain maple has slashed the sides of the hills with scarlet as brilliant as blood on a pure white bandage. The yellow of the aspen hasn't yet mingled with the scarlet, but it will any time now, as the first fall of termination dust gleamed like diamonds on the mountains in this morning's sun. And the dark green of the juniper and pine agree well with the silver green of the sage. Drop around. |
Subject: BS: where is the Fall Foliage? From: MMario Date: 03 Oct 05 - 10:51 AM Where the heck is the fall foliage? As I drove to work this morning there was diddly-squat. The virginia creeper hasn't turned, the Sumac hasn't turned, there are minor spots of colour - but *nothing* like normal. Usually "peak" foliage season for this sectionb of NY falls somewhere in the first two weeks of October - but it is preceeded by several weeks of "spotty" change. Heck, some years the creeper and Sumac is brilliant red by the end of AUGUST! Where's the colour? |