Welcome to Foliage-Vermont 2021
Updated, September 18th,2021
Its full ahead for the 2021 Season
Early foliage color in Morgan, Northeast Kingdom
Another colorful Vermont fall is just around the bend. The bounty of harvest season at orchards and farmstands and the freedom to explore Vermont’s outdoors await. Each week this report will update where to find the best color in the state, direct from Vermont’s Commissioner of Forests, Parks, and Recreation..
The landscape is still overwhelmingly green, but the vibrancy of summer leaves has started to fade, replaced by pale greens and muted yellows. Notable early color is beginning, especially splashes of red maples showing off in wetlands, roadsides, and scattered across hillsides, as well as flourishes of yellow from beech and cherry that are already turning. In between looking up to find the splendor in the trees, remember to look down and experience the shrub layer below the forest as aster, goldenrod, woodbine, sumac, and other flowers and ferns showcase their splendid colors, too.
This year's growing season for the trees has been good, though pockets of the state have experienced drought and heightened incidence of defoliation from insects like maple leafcutter and LDD moths and anthracnose fungus, which benefitted from the rainy start to the season. Central and Southern Vermont have moved out of the drought experienced earlier this year, and in localized areas drought will likely have an enhancing effect on fall color, but in places with severe drought the foliage display could be affected. Impacts like these will be interesting to watch as the season progresses.Despite these potential impacts, once again the season is shaping up to be a beautiful one. The recipe for glorious fall foliage in the weeks to come will be seasonable fall weather: cold, crisp nights; sunny days; and occasional rain. As long as these ingredients come together, the trees will take it from there.
BEST BETS:
Areas in the north and higher elevations are the best places to spot early color this week. Consider exploring the spine of the Green Mountains or Essex, Caledonia, and Orleans counties.
Vermont leads the country in the number of people who have been fully vaccinated.
More than eighty-five percent of the state's population has been vaccinated. Even so cases are increasing among the unvaccinated. You can get tested for free at many centers throughout the state and also get vaccinated.
Check out the Vermont Department of Health web site for locations and for the latest announcements.
Foliage Festivals
Some fall festivals are on again after being cancelled throughout Vermont last year. Check out the foliage events pages for the latest updagtes on cancellations and postponements...updated September 12th 2021
Lake Memphremagog, Oct 10th, looking north in Canada . Click here to
go full screen and a slide show of the foliage
As to the foliage...it will occur as it always has, so if you can make it in late September and early October you will see the color. If you are looking for fall festivals, they may not happen. Here is a link to one of the best foliage scenes we have seen in long time - Lake Willoughby in the Fall. This panorama is available as a 14" x 40" framed print or just as a print. If you want to know price and shipping, contact me
- Got questions about foliage? Need some personal advise about where to go and when? We have an active forum where you can go get some answers!
- Don't miss an ongoing slide show as the color appears
