VA Fall Foliage: Leaf Color Peak Starts In Western Region

VIRGINIA — Cool nights and sunny days mean most areas in central, northern, and western parts of Virginia are now sporting autumn color, state foresters said recently.

The Virginia Department of Forestry said leaf colors generally peak between Oct. 10 and 31; however, these dates can vary greatly year to year, based on other factors, such as temperatures, rain, winds and storms.

High elevation forests in southwest Virginia and the Alleghenies will peak this weekend, with a few areas already past peak, Most of the lower mountains have around 50 percent color change. However, areas with abundant oak trees still appear green, as the oaks change later than most species, the VDF said.

In the Piedmont, the overall effect is moving toward gold, accented with red from maples, black gum, dogwood, and sumac. The Coastal Plain is beginning to color as well, especially along city streets and in wet areas like swamps.

Species to note along Virginia roadways are deep red dogwoods, bright red to orange maples, and red Virginia creeper vines clinging to tree trunks. Tulip-poplar, sycamores, and hickories contribute shades of yellow.

The 2022 Fall Foliage Prediction Map is a great tool to start planning leaf peeping tours in neighboring states.

David Angotti, an expert on statistics who lives in Tennessee, was in the property management business in 2013 when he created the first Fall Foliage Prediction Map for SmokyMountains.com to help visitors plan their vacations when autumn leaves are the most brilliant.

In Virginia, the weeks of Oct. 24 and 31 look good for a fall leaf viewing trip.

Typically, the fall foliage peak is between Oct. 10 and 20 in southwest Virginia and along the western mountains, according to the Department of Forestry. In Northern Virginia and more central areas of Virginia, the peak is typically around Oct. 15 to 25. The latest peak will happen Oct. 20 to 31 in the eastern parts of the state.

The Virginia Department of Forestry's recommended fall foliage driving tours designed by local foresters include:

• Charlottesville Area - Greene County
• Harrisonburg Area - Rockingham County
• Harrisonburg Area - Shenandoah County
• Lexington Area - Bath County
• Front Royal Area - Warren County
• Roanoke Area - Bedford County
• Roanoke Area - Craig County
• Roanoke Area - Franklin County
• Staunton Area - Highland County

Other top places to see fall leaves in Virginia to consider:

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park features beautiful fall scenery across its entire landscape. Bold autumn hues await your arrival in the wooded hollows, fields of wildflowers, and all around the scenic vistas. For the best fall views, visit Old Rag Mountain to see the tree canopies create a quilt of color. Don't miss the Big Meadows either to find fall blooms and watch the tall grasses change their hues.

Whitetop Mountain

With a trip up to the summit of Whitetop Mountain, you can gaze in wonder at the colorful grasses, shrubs, and trees. If you go early in the season, you can also enjoy the wondrous calls of songbirds, including black-throated green warbler and dark-eyed junco. All it takes to get there is a leisurely drive up the gravel road right off State Route 600, near the Tennessee border. Once you reach the top, there's nothing between you and the patchwork of reds, oranges, and golds as far as the eye can see.

Potomac Heritage Trail

Looking to stay closer to D.C., the Potomac Heritage Trail lets you meander along the riverside at your leisure. Whether you choose to hike or ride your bike, you can stay on the main trail to follow the Potomac River's journey. Or you can opt for the side trails to loop through the forests full of tulip poplars, sycamores, and oak trees. The views are perhaps even more impressive right on the Potomac River, so don't hesitate to bring down your canoe or kayak.

SmokyMountains.com's fall foliage prediction map provides week-by-week predictions.

Map courtesy of SmokyMountains.com

To use the map, simply slide the scale to the right to see when leaves will peak in your state. Zero in on your county, and you'll be able to decide whether it's best to plan a northern, southern, eastern or western route.

Areas shaded in green have not begun to change color. As the season progresses, the map shows a progression of colors. When areas are shaded in brown, the leaves are past their peak.

What Causes The Different Colors

You probably remember from science class that the color change all starts with photosynthesis. Leaves constantly churn out chlorophyll — a key component in a plant’s ability to turn sunlight into the glucose it needs to thrive — from spring through early fall. Those cells saturate the leaves, making them appear green to the human eye.

But leaves aren’t green at all. Autumn is the time for leaves’ big reveal: their true color, unveiled as chlorophyll production grinds to a halt. The colors in fall’s breathtaking tapestry are influenced by other compounds, according to the national park’s website.

Beta-carotene, the same pigment that makes carrots orange, reflects the yellow and red light from the sun and gives leaves an orange hue.

The production of anthocyanin, which gives leaves their vivid red color, ramps up in the fall, protecting and prolonging the leaf’s life on a tree throughout autumn.

And those yellows that make you feel as if you’re walking in a ray of sunshine?

They’re produced by flavonol, which is part of the flavonoid protein family. It’s always present in leaves but doesn’t show itself until chlorophyll production begins to slow.