Western Maryland is reaching peak fall foliage as sunny days, cool nights and a heavy frost have accelerated the annual color change, according to the latest Maryland Department of Natural Resources fall foliage report.
In Garrett County, leaves have changed rapidly over the past several days. Areas around Meadow Mountain, Savage River Reservoir and Big Run are expected to see peak color this week, while other parts of the county are expected to reach peak conditions into next week.
Farther east, the transition is still in its earlier stages. In Washington County, most ridges remain largely green, but increasing amounts of gold and red are beginning to appear. Black walnut, hackberry and black locust are turning yellow, while red maple, blackgum and flowering dogwood are beginning to provide some of the more traditional red fall colors. If cooler weather continues, foresters expect conditions to change quickly over the next few weeks.
Frederick County also remains mostly green, although the transition has started. Blackgum, black walnut and flowering dogwood are among the trees showing the most change, while red maples have begun turning vibrant red. Hickories and oaks are also starting to change, with the greatest color transformation expected over the next two to three weeks.
In Baltimore County, red maples, Virginia creeper and black gum are providing pops of red, while poplars and understory trees are beginning to add yellow.
Moderate color change and leaf drop are underway in northeastern Maryland following several crisp nights. Black gums are showing bright red and some maples have turned orange.
The Eastern Shore remains largely green. In Dorchester County, young Atlantic bald cypress and sweet gum trees are among those leading the transition. Somerset County is also in the early stages, with hints of yellow on sweet gums, occasional red leaves on black gums and touches of orange appearing on bald cypress.
Closer to home, Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County offers a unique way to experience the changing leaves. A scenic viewfinder at Clopper Lake is equipped with EnChroma lenses designed to help people with red-green color blindness see more of the hues of fall foliage. The viewfinder can be reached from the lower Boat Center parking lot near the self-launch ramp by following the gravel path to the shoreline.
