Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

cremepat OP t1_ir9uwwc wrote

I did the data analysis and mapping in R. My code and more context is here.

The data comes from the USDA

65

AshST t1_ir9vcjf wrote

I feel very lucky that my yard in Iowa defies this data haha

41

TheDadThatGrills t1_ir9x4it wrote

Best part about living with all four seasons is late Summer into Fall

263

Buck_Thorn t1_ir9zdqm wrote

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is stunning at this time of year. Porcupine Mountains State Park or the Keweenaw peninsula/Copper Harbor are prime areas, but just about anywhere will blow you away.

45

AbouBenAdhem t1_ira00g0 wrote

Does Redding get its name from being the only place in the west where the leaves turn red?

6

Msaeachubaetssss t1_ira1dr1 wrote

Replying to SadKneeCruiseBee (#43,903)

Ngl West Virginia is fucking gorgeous. The people are incredibly nice and welcoming and I can’t wait to come back.

I just wish there was more I could do to help the people there. I know it’s complicated but I know West Virginians deserve better

35

ofDawnandDusk t1_ira54yu wrote

Take the Blue Ridge Parkway of western NC into autumnal paradise. Nothing but praise for the Northeast as well, particularly NH's White Mountains and Maine for its lovely coastal backdrop.

84

VRascal t1_ira5rdy wrote

I need one of these for the UK!

1

SadKneeCruiseBee t1_ira5sz7 wrote

Replying to Msaeachubaetssss (#44,066)

At this point, I’m not sure what can be done to help us. It’s gridlocked in the way that we’re bored, and there’s NOTHING to do except for the outdoorsy stuff. But then because the state is so poor, no one dares to start a business here. I for one feel like that’s been a contributing factor to our opioid issue. Everyone’s so bored and depressed they feel like they need some kind of escape.

13

Msaeachubaetssss t1_ira6ad8 wrote

Replying to SadKneeCruiseBee (#44,415)

And the main export the state had was drained from the state without being used to invest on the state. West Virginia was essentially a resource colony for a century.

I was hoping that making New River Gorge into a national park would bring people to the state but most of the people going were people already interested in visiting before.

I saw a story about some people moving in and turning some old properties into bnbs but I’m sure there’s limits to that too

15

ol_dirty_applesauce t1_ira6lb6 wrote

Replying to SadKneeCruiseBee (#43,903)

I live in a small WV mountain town and really enjoy my life. It’s in the middle of a national forest, there’s a liberal arts college, and people are nice enough. There’s a pretty vibrant arts scene, I get to walk to work, and cost of living is almost too good to be true.

It’s certainly not for everyone, but I dig it.

15

oblivision t1_ira6ycb wrote

Informative, beautiful and useful. You win!

−1

Apprehensive_Key_103 t1_ira77kf wrote

Replying to ofDawnandDusk (#44,351)

The notches in the Whites during mid October might be actual heaven on earth. Even short hikes will give you an amazing vantage point on the depth of the color. Plus you can feast on all the maple, cider doughnuts, and beer to your heart's content.

A road trip from the blue ridge up through NH would be an awesome long weekend in the fall.

24

Lunares t1_ira7t4q wrote

Is basal area the best way to do it?

The issue with utah/colorado is that by far the most of our color changing trees are aspens which have a small trunk area to leaf ratio than the east. You can find significant color trees on the east side of colorado for example with them.

20

ST_Lawson t1_ira8dbc wrote

Replying to AshST (#43,693)

I live in the little swath of west-central Illinois that gets pretty decent color change in the foliage. Not on the level of the Appalachian regions or New England, but still pretty decent.

7

Purpl3Unicorn t1_ira9dmr wrote

Replying to Lunares (#44,544)

As someone who grew up in Michigan and moved to Colorado. The colors in Colorado do not compare to out east and yet everyone seems to go bonkers over a few aspens.

The biggest difference is the variety of colors, out east there are a bunch of different tree types so you get so many different colors.

24

m0ondogy t1_iraaj65 wrote

This helps rectify things. I grew up in New Orleans, and I always noticed the change. But always heard how the northern parts of the country was better at showing the fall colors. It is, don't get me wrong. However, I couldn't imagine how the city could change any more than it did. Even traveling around the area for soccer tournaments, I still saw everything that wasn't a southern pine turn yellow, orange, red, and brown.

Apparently, the southern run of the Mississippi River has its own cluster of Fall colors and I was lucky to see it compared to the rest of the Gulf.

7

the1brother t1_irabyz2 wrote

Replying to AshST (#43,693)

I've lived about 10 years each in Texas and Iowa, and one of the things I miss most about Iowa was the fall weather and colors. Not certain why Iowa is lacking color in this map.

6

Flappie02 t1_iraciu4 wrote

Strange, usually when I fall my bruises end up purple.

3

bazjack t1_irafvtn wrote

I'm from central Massachusetts, which certainly isn't bad for foliage, but in high school we always had a debate at a school in the best foliage part of New Hampshire on Columbus Day weekend, which is basically the peak foliage weekend there. The views were a nice added benefit.

3

Kapusta96 t1_irafxzy wrote

Replying to mightbearobot_ (#44,681)

Boston guy here who was just in Flagstaff for the first time last week. Of all the things I expected to see on that trip, yellow-orange foliage in Arizona was not among them, but Flagstaff did it!

26

kentuckyk1d t1_iragoa0 wrote

Replying to Buck_Thorn (#43,929)

Went to school at Michigan Tech and my in Laws live in Marquette. We always plan a nice color tour of the are because it really can’t be beat! The views from Brockway, Mt. Bohemia, the Porkies, etc. just take your breath away in the fall.

10

snowday784 t1_irags4p wrote

Central Colorado and northern New Mexico look surprisingly bare based on personal experience 🤔 cool though!

5

CliveBixby22 t1_iragths wrote

I feel like we get some great colors up here in MT, albeit for a very short amount of time. Can't imagine how pretty it is over yonder

2

nodakakak t1_irakxnp wrote

More like density IN fall colors

3

jotegr t1_iralvlh wrote

Replying to Lunares (#44,544)

Thing about out west is yes, you have huge Aspen stands, larches, cottonwoods, and a few more that change colour. But the landscape is largely dominated by trees that don't change colour.

In parts of out east it's colour changing trees as far as the eye can see in all directions.

16

jotegr t1_iram4hm wrote

Replying to Purpl3Unicorn (#44,613)

Nothing like fall in the upper peninsula/around Superior. Probably one of the things I miss about leaving for out west.

The western fall is very pretty and the Aspens and larches are gorgeous, but it is funny how people absolutely lose their minds over a spattering of larches in an otherwise green forest.

5

Gastronomicus t1_iraqdyj wrote

Replying to Lunares (#44,544)

It definitely isn't. The colour change is a function of many parameters, including difference in day/night air temperatures, day length, specific species, summer conditions, winter conditions, etc. In the end, more spectacular colour changes occur in the north-eastern part of the temperate hardwood range and montane ecosystems with colder nights.

6

Bkwrzdub t1_irar84p wrote

deciduous

Coz someone's looking for this word...

3

julia35002 t1_irat7ep wrote

The Catskills of NY🫶🏻

I currently live in MA and its not the same foliage vibe :(

3

lucky_ducker t1_irauw66 wrote

This map nicely shows the unexpected forest density in the uplands of southern Indiana. The nearly square forested area contains Brown County State Park and two state forests, and large swaths of the Hoosier National Forest, marking the northernmost segment of the Norman Uplands. To the west is the less dense but longer Crawford uplands, which contain most of the rest of the national forest, and several state parks and forests.

When the leaves are at their peak you can just drive around in this area and see fall color to rival anything in the Appalachians or New England.

5

InkBlotSam t1_irawaqv wrote

Replying to Purpl3Unicorn (#44,613)

It's not just the aspens though, it's the juxtaposition of aspens against the mountain backdrop, which they don't have in Michigan.

No one goes crazy for big patches of Colorado aspens on the plains.

15

InkBlotSam t1_irawhc0 wrote

Nevada: "Wait, tree leaves change colors?!"

2

Creative_Ambassador t1_irb2665 wrote

I rarely see any fall color out here in California. Usually it’s just “a tree” or bush. Or maybe a tree on fire…

1

Namaslayy t1_irb2d0z wrote

Hmmm…growing up in the PNW, I thought we had a normal regular fall…

1

pspahn t1_irb4psn wrote

Replying to Lunares (#44,544)

Likewise, with something like Populus deltoides ssp monilifera there will be one to a few massive trees that stand alone in an area, or maybe a long line of them following a water channel. Trunk size can get very big, up to and sometimes over 10' in diameter. Two of these trees in a single acre would put them beyond the top of the scale being used.

Now looking at the graphic, the eastern front of the Rockies and down into Nebraska, Kansas, etc, the color is basically showing "zero fall color" and that just doesn't really jive with reality.

Yes, it's not a dense forest with many different species, but I am not sure why the shouldn't be included in something showing "fall color" because even standing alone they can be incredibly dramatic.

For Example

1

Darrtucky t1_irbc61f wrote

West By God Almost Heaven Wild Wonderful Virginia.
Got it.

1

Mylastbreathgoing t1_irbf5gr wrote

It's weird that the east have seasons like Europe and snow but Los Angeles is like the same climate as Spain. Is it because millions of people from their original climate where living there and used the metaphysical hivemind to change the weather over timme like all supernatural.. so if Africans would move to Russia it would be hot and full of lions in about 300years. And when Indians lived there it was full on psychedelic wonderland?

−6

mightbearobot_ t1_irbfd37 wrote

Replying to mmarollo (#46,718)

It’s at high elevation, about 7k feet so yes, it does experience varying temps. Sometimes as much as 40 degree from low to high in a day. I’m not sure where it stands nationally among all cities, but it does have a wide temp range usually

4

jrkib8 t1_irbg8nc wrote

Replying to Lunares (#44,544)

Basal area is fine. The r value of the diameter at breast height (DBH) to mean crown radius (MCR) is 0.77 meaning the DBH is a very good indicator of the MCR. I live in CO and am from VA so have spent a lot of time in Shenandoah and WVA.

Aspens have one of the highest ratios of DBH to MCR of any deciduous trees. This means it's the opposite. They have relatively smaller canopies for their trunk thickness.

Source pdf by forestry service

3

jrkib8 t1_irbh0r2 wrote

Replying to snowday784 (#44,992)

Aspen groves in CO are amazing for how intense their color change is, but our forests are relatively thin and predominately coniferous.

I'm from VA and imagine walking through the thickest Aspen forest you've ever seen, but it's thousands of square miles and thicker

3

DoobsMgGoobs t1_irbkkfy wrote

Never been there but I would've thought Maine would be darker.

1

JonhaerysSnow t1_irbl4w1 wrote

Sacramento, CA has a wonderful fall season of so much color! This map is very lacking.

−1

Johnfurface t1_irbmu8z wrote

Appalachian trail here I come 🍁

5

Earthquake14 t1_irbpvst wrote

I wonder if there’s a way to overlay this map with a map of what the most common tree is per state or county.

1

stackjr t1_irbrvw4 wrote

It shows my state almost completely white yet we have a tree right across from us that's leaves have turned purple.

1

urbansasquatchNC t1_irbrzyf wrote

I didn't realize how much of the country didn't get the changing of the leaves. Weird.

3

xXNot_A_FurryXx t1_irbvxyg wrote

They did Nevada dirty with this graph. This is cap.

1

noobs1996 t1_irbw9i6 wrote

Our grass gets browner in the fall here in San Diego, does that count? 😅

1

the_snook t1_irbyg1x wrote

If some trees stay green in Fall, doesn't that make green a "fall color" too?

1

itsniickgeo t1_irbznoo wrote

Published 9 years ago. What does it look like now?

2

VIVXPrefix t1_irc0g1c wrote

It would be nice to see it extent into Canada

1

EggplantOrphan t1_irc2mh6 wrote

Giving a shout to the Pennsylvania foliage. All other states are a mere color change while PA is a psychedelic fever dream that invigorates the body, delights the mind and enchants the soul.

1

longring15 t1_irc39pc wrote

is there one for the world

1

hacksoncode t1_irc491n wrote

I especially like that you used fall colors to show this :-).

2

MuchLessPersonal t1_irc5pxv wrote

That's weird, every tree around me is bright red and yellow but my area is white on the map

1

random_sociopath t1_irc9iwd wrote

One thing about southern California I can't stand is the complete lack of seasons. I miss the changing colors.

1

BaroquenLarynx t1_irccbl4 wrote

From Albany, NY, take I-87N until it intersects with Route 9N, and travel west on 9N. This intersects Route 73, which takes you west to North Elba, and on to Lake Placid. This intersects Route 86, turn right onto 86.

The drive from there to Wilmington is, the most natural beauty I have ever seen. There will be a long creek on your left, and mountains and cliffs all around you. If it's in season, you can drive up to the top of Whiteface Mountain (bring a jacket!), where you'll be able to see the foliage for miles and miles. You're in the Adirondack Mountains, so there's all sorts of natural beauty around you.

The town of Lake Placid is where I'd like to retire someday. Beautiful area.

1

anonkitty2 t1_irccovz wrote

Replying to pspahn (#46,184)

Look more carefully. The eastern half of Kansas does have a delicate orange tint. Near Wichita and in spots near the Missouri state line, you can see splashes of brighter orange.

1

jjpearson1021 t1_ircdwx4 wrote

As a native of OR, I'm surprised there isn't more in the Willamette Valley up there. There are thousands of maple trees there.

1

Jalapenis_poppers_ t1_ircesn7 wrote

I live in Hot Springs, Arkansas and it’s beautiful this time of year through November

1

GrendaGrendinator t1_ircgm9q wrote

Yeah, we have a lot of evergreens on the west coast so this is exactly what I expected.

1

drethnudrib t1_ircgmqw wrote

I like how the few trees in North Dakota appear to be huddled together for warmth.

1

yahhhguy t1_ircgqfh wrote

Replying to PBJ_ad_astra (#45,841)

It’s true, and this is the year for reds. The yellows (beech, birch, etc) have missed the brilliant highlighter phase this year for some reason, we’re seeing more school bus yellow to brown mustard yellow.

9

[deleted] t1_ircgxgi wrote

I thought the west coast would be more... colorful, well, IO can't say much, I am in north East Florida.

1

PringleFiasco t1_ircocwe wrote

This is my first year living in MA from CA and I am constantly in awe of how beautiful it is right now!

1

Whydmer t1_ircoiye wrote

Replying to mmarollo (#46,718)

Flagstaff has never reached 100 degrees. The temp differential is huge during the drier atmospheric times though mid 30's to 80 might be about the extent of the diurnal swing.

Edit: a residential area just outside of the town limits at a slightly lower elevation and down slope from the mountains will hit the very low 100's on the hottest days. It is where 2 large forest fires hit earlier this year. 100°, and windy at 6,800 feet elevation is not comfortable.

2

Whydmer t1_ircowve wrote

Replying to mightbearobot_ (#46,724)

Flagstaff can go from freezing Temps at night in early June to highs in the mid 90's in late June. (night time lows can still be in the upper 40's to low 50's) Up until the last 10 years residential properties with AC were almost unheard of.

2

Scpusa815 t1_ircpgn9 wrote

As someone who has always lived in one of the dark areas on this map I guess I didn't realize how rare this was

1

ShelbyDriver t1_ircpkrr wrote

Planted a maple in Texas for some fall colors. It turns red(ish) for exactly one day then all the leaves fall off definitely not worth dealing with the shallow roots.

1

Kevs442 t1_ircvxee wrote

Is the basal area calculated off the height of my 4'5" grandmother's breasts or those of my neighbor's perky volleyball playing 22-year-old daughter?

1

NeshamaDancer t1_ircxdtj wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#48,680)

PNW is more colorful… I’m in Nashville now and while it has the potential, the leaves don’t seem to turn here. I would have to head east or north to see real fall colors. I miss real fall. 😢

2

Kolle12 t1_ird5bvy wrote

I’m skeptical how accurate this is. This includes coniferous trees? Is this basically density of large trees regardless of type?

1

thebozworth t1_irdf6q7 wrote

what about Alaska!? we have gorgeous fall colors, too!!!!

1

aotus_trivirgatus t1_irdpzdh wrote

What's happening at the eastern edge of the Appalachians?

1

theserialcoder t1_irdyfr2 wrote

I drove the blueridge parkway, skyline drive, smokey mountains, kancamagus, white mountains, adirondacks, acadia and more this summer and it was a lifechanging experience. I cannot imagine seeing them in fall.

1

TackoFell t1_ireao22 wrote

Replying to PBJ_ad_astra (#45,841)

I believe one of the most important differences between the northern and southern parts of this map is also, in the north the transition happens more all at once, where in the south it’s more gradual - not all the trees pop at once. I’ve lived in northern and southern hot spots on this map, and individual trees still become gorgeous down south, it’s just not the dramatic “the forest is ablaze in the sunlight” thing you get in the north

2

Greg_Pim t1_irenln4 wrote

Merrit parkway is beautiful in November.

1

spicynuggies t1_irfgnyb wrote

North Central Pennsylvania and Western Maine is the most true wilderness east of the Mississippi. Some of the few areas out east where you can look up and see the milky way at night

1

FantasmoOnPC t1_irlk6xm wrote

Stay outta my mountains ya leafers.

1

SpeCt3r1995 t1_irnvhkc wrote

Replying to TheDadThatGrills (#43,788)

I usually enjoyed fall to winter when I was a kid. Just gradually watching my backyard change from that lovely kaleidoscope of browns, oranges, yellows, and reds to a near uniform gray and brown, and then slowly shifting to a bright, unbroken field of white.

But I've been living in Florida for years now so I don't get any of the above. This place sucks.

1