BOSTON — New England residents and visitors to the six-state region hoping to catch a glimpse of its celebrated fall foliage might be a little disappointed so far in seeing more green than blazing orange, scarlet and gold.
But experts say there’s no need to fret — this year’s foliage season was delayed slightly because of weather conditions and likely will end up being just as spectacular. It might even last a little longer than usual, which is good for the economy.
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WHY THE LATE START?
The leaves turn when the nights get colder and the days shorten. But it’s been a mild fall so far.
Deciduous trees, including oaks, maples, beech and birch, spend the spring and summer growing food for the winter, and shorter days and cooler nights signal it’s time to shed the leaves and go into dormancy, said Paul Catanzaro, an extension assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst who specializes in forest ecology and conservation.
“We’ve had this slow descent into the cooler temperatures, and that’s kept leaves on the trees longer and extended the season,” he said.
Foliage season in Massachusetts has been delayed a week to 10 days, said Bill Simpson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Taunton.
“The usual overnight cold snaps that trigger the transition have been delayed,” he said.
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WHAT’S THE ECONOMIC IMPACT?
The late arrival of color in Vermont hasn’t deterred visitors. Leaf peepers tend to make plans well before the fall.
“What we’ve found is that many of our visitors are here on scheduled (bus) tours, so they make arrangements for these tours well in advance and they’re going to come rain, shine, leaves or no leaves,” said Marti Austin, retail manager for Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center, which had its best Columbus Day weekend in 40 years.
In the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, hotels, inns, restaurants and other businesses that cater to leaf peepers were packed during a spectacular Columbus Day weekend, said Lindsey Schmid, marketing director at the Berkshires Visitors Bureau.
The hope now is those visitors will return to see the foliage at peak, and more spur-of-the-moment visitors will make the trip.
“Innkeepers and restaurateurs are pushing out more deals, getting the word out to their customers and saying ‘You need to make your plans still,’” she said.
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ARE THERE ANY COMPLAINTS?
Britni White, executive director of the North Country Chamber of Commerce in New Hampshire, said the final tallies aren’t in yet but she expects businesses will report a better season because of the delayed colors. In Maine, peak foliage has yet to take hold for the entire state.
“We’ve been granted another week of foliage by our warm September,” Maine fall foliage coordinator Gale Ross said. “You know, I don’t think anyone’s complaining.”
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WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
Don’t worry, said Catanzaro, the UMass professor. “I’ve never seen a foliage season that’s disappointed me, and I think this is a really good one,” he said.
Can winter weather be predicted by fall conditions?
Simpson, the government meteorologist, says no. It’s impossible to say whether New England will suffer through another brutal winter.
But just in case, enjoy the fall.
