Stephanie Walton, Chief of Marketing & Communications
Autumn brings with it shorter days, cooler evenings and everyone’s favorite — beautiful fall foliage. Summer’s bright green leaves are already beginning the shift to reds, oranges and yellows, but why? And what are some of the best spots to view this seasonal show?
The entire process begins with photosynthesis. In the warmer months, the leaves of deciduous trees are packed with chlorophyll, which helps them turn sunlight into food. Chlorophyll also reflects green light, giving trees their verdant summer coloring. As winter approaches, trees need to shed their leaves in order to protect themselves from harsh weather conditions. As the days become shorter, chlorophyll production is reduced and the other pigments in the leaves begin to shine through.
Summit Metro Parks Naturalist Dave Daly explains, “Just about all leaves contain carotene and xanthophyll, which aids chlorophyll in photosynthesis. When chlorophyll disappears, carotene gives leaves an orange color, like the orange found in carrots, while xanthophyll, also found in egg yolks, is responsible for the yellow hues.”
Sugar maples are a good example of a tree whose foliage generally turns orange in the fall, while birches tend to become yellow. Sassafras trees can be yellow, orange and red at the same time, which makes them an especially beautiful sight. But what causes that red coloring?
Daly says that while most leaves contain carotene and xanthophyll, only some contain anthocyanin, which is what makes certain species appear red or even deep purple in the fall. Examples of red autumn trees include red and white oaks, red maples and sweet gums.
Not all trees drop their leaves in the fall. In a phenomenon called marcescence, some species such as beech trees keep their dead leaves through winter. “Scientists don’t fully understand why this happens, but they theorize that it could protect the trees from winter feeding by deer,” Daly said. “Dead leaves taste terrible, so deer avoid them when trying to find tasty twigs for their winter snacks.” The dead leaves might also serve as a self-compost when they finally drop in the spring, helping to feed the tree as it returns to the growing cycle.
Predicting the intensity and timing of fall color is far from an exact science, but Daly says there are some hints that can guide us. Wet summers tend to indicate more dramatic fall color, especially when paired with drier conditions later in the season. “And lucky us, that perfectly describes the weather we’ve had here in Summit County this year,” he said.
As far as precisely when those beautiful reds, oranges and yellows will arrive in our area, the jury’s still out. Hot temperatures in the late summer and early autumn can delay fall color, causing it show up a few days to a few weeks late. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources maintains a fall foliage forecast on its website beginning in early October: http://fallcolor.ohiodnr.gov/foliage-reports.
One way to be sure you’re making of the most of these fleeting autumn days is to participate in the annual Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree. Hike any eight of the designated trails between now and November 30 to earn rewards — a hiking staff and shield for first-time participants and a shield for veteran hikers. Rewards are free for Summit County residents. In addition to featuring fall’s beauty, many of this year’s trails also highlight the Cuyahoga River, which is celebrating 50 years of renewal since the infamous 1969 fire. Visit hikingspree.summitmetroparks.org for more information.
There’s no shortage of local hot spots to take in fall’s stunning foliage, and each Metro Park location provides a unique way to appreciate the season. The following trails are some popular fall favorites (and are all included in this year’s Fall Hiking Spree):
Overlook Trail at Cascade Valley Metro Park: 354 Sackett Ave., Akron
Glens Trail at Gorge Metro Park: 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls
Quarry Trail at Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park: 5779 Riverview Rd., Peninsula
Summit Metro Parks offers dozens of free programs each month, including many that feature fall foliage and qualify for Fall Hiking Spree credit. Additional information, including program details and center hours, is available at www.summitmetroparks.org.
This article was originally published by Leader Publications on October 17, 2019 and can also be viewed at www.akron.com.