When Will Fall Foliage Peak in the Chicago Suburbs?

SOURCE: University of Illinois Extension

Over the years, one question that gets asked every fall is when the fall colors will peak in a particular area, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

“Predicting peak fall color is very difficult,” said Ron Wolford in a 2013 Patch.com article.

Wolford said colors normally peak in northern Illinois around mid-October. But there have been years when fall colors have not peaked until late October.

“So peak color varies from year to year. The best fall color occurs when we have bright, sunny days and cool nights with sufficient rainfall,” Wolford said.

Wolford provided these websites to help in the search for the best fall color:

• Miracle of Fall - www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/fallcolor

This is a comprehensive fall foliage website by U of I Extension. The site has a listing of fall color updates for states across the United States. Another feature lists many major trees and shrubs with pictures of their fall color. You can also watch the changing leaves on foliage webcams.

• A Walk in the Woods - http://urbanext.illinois.edu/woods/

Learn all about the wonders of nature by taking a virtual walk through the woods with this website from U of I Extension. Learn tips to make your walk safe and fun.

• The Foliage Network - www.foliagenetwork.com

The Foliage Network collects real-time fall foliage information from their network of volunteer foliage spotters across the United States September through November.

• State Fall Color Updates by Phone - http://www.stormfax.com/foliage.htm

Check out this complete listing of state fall color hotlines with the latest fall foliage information. There are also links to state fall color reports.

• USDA Forest Service Fall Foliage Report - http://www.fs.fed.us/fallcolors/2012/index.shtml

The USDA Forest Service has links to fall color reports from many national forests in the United States. They also have a fall color hotline that is operational during September at 1-800-354-4595.

• Leafsnap: An Electronic Field Guide - http://leafsnap.com/

This free mobile app uses visual recognition software to help identify tree species with photographs of their leaves. Use this app while on a fall walk.

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