Looking For Leaves?

Cades Cove Fall 2013
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Although the official start of fall is still a couple of weeks away, ardent leaf watchers are already looking for the red, yellow and orange hues. For those that are seeking a bit of early color, the highest elevations of the SmokyMountains are the best place to see fall creeping into the landscape. Witch Hobble has turned crimson and is bright with berries in the highest elevations.  Some yellow can be seen in early birch tree changes and some pin cherry leaves are also starting to sport their fall colors in the mountain tops. Down in the valley, color is a little more difficult to come by but dogwoods and sourwoods are starting to redden, as are some forms of creeper and ivy and red berries are beginning to be found on spicebush. All are the first signs of the season’s change in the region.

A little wet weather should improve the leaf forecast for bright colors. Recent warm weather has slowed what was shaping up to be an early leaf season, however, with temperatures expected to dip this week, the color outlook may brighten once again for an early leaf season.