REGIONAL— If you’re hoping to enjoy the peak of the fall colors this year across northeastern Minnesota, you’d better get out soon. A combination of several cool nights in early September, including light frost, along with abundant sunshine so far this month has sparked a pronounced color change a bit earlier than usual.
Brian Feldt, area forestry supervisor with the Tower area DNR, puts the change about a week-to-ten days ahead of the average. Typically, the region sees two fall color peaks, with the maples peaking first, usually around the third to fourth week of September. The aspen and birch peak generally follows about a week-to-ten days later.
But many maples were already at or nearing peak color as of mid-September this year and even some aspen and birch were beginning to turn. The fall color portion of the DNR’s website this week showed that virtually all of St. Louis County was experiencing significant color change, compared to only about half at the same time last year and none during the same period in 2022.
Feldt said the early September chill combined with the abundant sunshine is likely behind the early change. That’s because the chlorophyll that gives leaves their green color breaks down in the fall, and cooler temperatures at night and sunshine during the day tend to speed up that process. As the chlorophyll breaks down, other phytochemicals, like carotenoids and anthocyanins, which reflect yellows, oranges, and reds, come into the foreground, giving leaves their “fall” color.
This year’s color change is not only early in our region, Feldt said it has the potential to be particularly dramatic, thanks to the wet summer, which typically encourages more robust foliage. “I think we could see some very brilliant colors this year,” he said.
But an early change could mean an earlier than usual leaf fall. So, get out and enjoy the colors while they last.