Maryland Fall Foliage 2015

Fall foliage has begun to appear across parts of Maryland, according to the Maryland Office of Tourism and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fall Foliage & Festival Hotline.

Some of the earliest displays of fall foliage can be found in western Maryland. Traditionally, foliage in Garrett County begins to turn around the end of September and peaks around mid-October.

Maryland's fall foliage hues usually vary from year to year, depending on Autumn temperatures, rainfall, storms, and other factors.

During the Fall season, trees release a chemical called phytochrome, which slows down chlorophyll production in preparation for winter dormancy. As the green chlorophyll recedes, foliage changes color.

The amount and acidity of tree sap also affects foliage colors. Strongly acidic sap leads to red and other brightly-colored foliage, while less acidic sap produces more yellows or softer tones.


Fall Foliage Colors

Yellows

Ash, White
Basswood
Beech
Birch, Rive
Birch, Sweet
Buckeye, Ohio
Coffeetree, Kentucky
Cottonwood, Eastern
Elder, Box
Elm, American
Hazel Nut
Hickory, Mockernut
Hickory, Pignut
Hickory, Shagbark
Hickory, Shellbark
Hophornbeam, Eastern
Locust, Black
Locust, Honey
Maple, Silver
Oak, Chestnut
Pecan
Redbud, Eastern
Shad Bush
Tuliptree
Walnut, Black
Walnut, White
Willow, Black

Reds - Pinks - Oranges

Dogwood
Gum, Black
Oak, Northern Red
Oak, Pin
Oak, Scarlet
Oak, Southern Red
Oak, Swamp Chestnut
Sourwood
Sumac

Browns

Oak, Bur
Oak, Post
Oak, Shingle
Oak, Swamp White

Maryland Fall Foliage

Maryland is one of the top states in the Mid Atlantic for viewing fall foliage. In several areas, fall colors are spectacular, especially in October.

Maryland flora includes not only deciduous trees but countless species of shrubs, bushes, vines and other plant life.

Throughout much of Maryland, viewing fall foliage can be as simple as a tour of back roads in rural areas. State parks and national wildlife refuges are also good places to experience the State's outstanding plant life.

Attending a fall festival is another way to enjoy fall colors in Maryland. Some of the best fall festivals held in the State include the Maryland Renaissance Festival (Annapolis), Annapolis Fall Festival, Autumn Glory Festival (Garret County), Maryland Fall Home & Garden Show (Timonium), and the Fall Harvest Festival & Crafts Show (Farm Museum at Susquehanna State Park - Havre de Grace).

One of the best ways to see fall foliage is to take a river tour in Maryland. Many of the State's tidal rivers are lined with trees, shrubs, berry plants and other flora that cannot be seen otherwise.

From September thru November, trees and other plants along the banks of Maryland's rivers and creeks are ablaze with red, orange, yellow, gold, green, and other colors.

bald cypress trees in bloom

red maple leaves

red maple leaves

gum tree leaves

shades of green, red, yellow and gold

berries along a river bank

poison ivy