How recent temperatures will impact fall foliage

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Fans of the fall season may be wondering what fall foliage will look like heading into the next couple of weeks.

WKYT reports cooler temperatures have been more normal over the past few weeks, In fact, in the Lexington area, every daily low temperature has been below average at Blue Grass Airport for over the past three weeks. This is good for fall color.

“The cool nights help activate the colors and the pigments that are in the leaves, which causes them to expose those colors. It’s one of the few things we can bank on right now,” said Carrie Spry, a UK Clark County horticulture extension agent.

While cooler temperatures are good for the leavers to change color, the lack of rain could cause leaves to fall too early, before they have the chance to get that vibrant color.

“If we continue, it’s going to help bring on the colors earlier, but unless we increase in rainfall and decrease the drought situation, you’re not going to see as many good and vibrant colors as we could,” Spry said.

Spray said fall colors in the Lexington area usually peak in late October. A cooler trend could move that peak date closer to mid-October. If you are seeing color in trees right now, that’s a bad sign of the health of the tree.

“Trees are changing color right now, and you’re seeing color because they are stressed. Stressed trees will quit chlorophyll production early and start their shutdown early as a safety mechanism to protect themselves,” Spry said.

Spry said many trees that are partially surrounded by pavement will generally show colors earlier due to stress, as roots are likely restricted.