Fall foliage is beginning to take hold across Montgomery County, while parts of Western Maryland are now reaching peak color, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ latest foliage observations from around the state.
Nearly all trees have begun transitioning in Montgomery County, with consistent moisture and cooler temperatures speeding up the process over the past week. Blackgum and black walnut were among the first to change and, in many cases, are already nearly leafless. Flowering dogwoods have turned a deep reddish-purple, while red maples are showing vibrant red, particularly at the tops of their crowns.
Hickories are providing some of the brightest color locally, with some turning completely golden while others are just beginning to change. Oaks remain mostly green and are only starting to show their fall colors. Peak foliage in the area is expected during the final week of October.
This year’s colors are also expected to be more vibrant than last year due to consistent precipitation and cooler temperatures. Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg offers another way to experience the changing leaves. The park features a scenic viewfinder equipped with EnChroma lenses, designed to help people with red-green color blindness better experience the colors of fall foliage.
The viewfinder can be reached by parking at the lower Boat Center lot near the self-launch ramp and following the gravel path to the shoreline, where it is located at the end of the trail.
Farther west, fall foliage is already putting on a stronger display. The northern portion of Garrett County is seeing peak color this week, while the southern portion of the county is changing more rapidly. Rocky Gap and Swallow Falls state parks are among the locations recommended for viewing fall colors.
Color is also popping along the summit of South Mountain, where pockets of forest are near peak and birch trees have turned autumn gold. The Appalachian Trail and parks along South Mountain are expected to provide some of the state’s best foliage viewing right now.
In Frederick County, most trees are now in some phase of color change. The Baltimore metropolitan area remains short of peak, although yellows are appearing on dogwoods, ash, maples, persimmon and blackgum, with brighter reds coming from sumac and Virginia creeper.
Farther east, Somerset County remains predominantly green, although some trees have started to turn. Recent wind and rain brought down some leaves around the state, but plenty of color remains. Cooler temperatures are expected to accelerate the transition and produce brighter colors as Maryland moves toward the final weeks of October.
