The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released its most recent Fall Foliage Report for 2024, just before fall officially begins on Sunday, September 22 at 8:44 a.m.
According to the report, Many of Maryland’s trees are changing color earlier than usual this year due to drought. Marylanders can also expect to see more yellow and gold tones, and fewer reds and purples.
Forester Melissa Nash in Garrett County says leaves are two weeks ahead of schedule in Maryland’s westernmost jurisdiction, which is experiencing extreme drought. “While we will still have a fall color display, I anticipate it may peak earlier than normal and we will see more muted colors and more yellow to golden tones as opposed to vibrant colors, again due to lack of moisture,” Nash says.
While there is no change yet here in Montgomery County, forester Aaron Cook says there “is some drought-induced foliage change occurring in walnut, maple, sumac, and boxelder. These are typically early leaf changers, but they are earlier than normal this year. That effect intensifies moving west, where drought conditions are more severe. I would expect the usual late October peak for Frederick and Washington Counties.”