The state of Pennsylvania is dominated by about 60% forest, which makes for a vibrant display of fall foliage. According to Ryan Reed, natural resource program specialist in the Bureau of Forestry’s communications section, the state starts to see a change in the leaves as early as the last week of September, with most of the leaves changing by early-October. “We have abundant opportunity across the state to view beautiful fall colors without having to drive very far or even walk,” Reed said. “If you get the weather conditions just right, sometimes you can get an overlapping peak, where everywhere you look in the forest, it’s just beautiful and vibrant.” As the weather cools down and nature’s growing season comes to an end, the trees stop their production of chlorophyll — the compound that makes the leaves green. The leaves then break down the remaining chlorophyll to reveal the colorful hues of yellow, red and orange. Around this time each year the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry releases a weekly fall foliage report noting the progress of the foliage and when and where people can view the best colors. Prepared by Reed, last year’s report was published on the Bureau’s website last November and this year’s report was released on Sept. 28. Reed said he tries to time the first fall foliage report around some signs of change, adding that he’s already heard from foresters in the northeastern portion of the state that they’re “already starting to see a little bit of color across the landscape.”

Photo Credit: Alex Byers/GO Laurel Highlands