LISLE, Ill. (Sept. 27, 2024)— With the Chicago region experiencing an official moderate drought, the tree experts at The Morton Arboretum say it is still too early to tell how it will impact the timing and vibrancy of peak fall leaf color changes.
“As the fall season progresses and temperatures get colder, day-to-day weather conditions will play a very strong role in when trees change color and how long leaves stay on,” said Arboretum Forest Ecologist Christy Rollinson, Ph.D.
The region’s lack of moisture triggered early fall color in some trees, including walnut, honey locust and other drought-sensitive species, such as certain birches, Rollinson said. These trees have shown mostly yellow leaves, with some individual leaves already shedding. Some trees and seedlings also have shriveled green leaves.
“Trees that are in stressful locations like parking lots or those that haven’t gotten extra water over the past several weeks are the ones most likely to be changing color early,” Rollinson said.
Trees that have already turned color and are losing leaves will likely continue to do so. Receiving more rain would help slow the leaf-changing process in trees that are partially turned or have yet to turn, she said.
“Typically, once we are in drought, we need several good, soaking rains—more than a single downpour—to recharge soil moisture and ease the dry conditions,” Rollinson said. “In general, we expect the recent rain we’ve gotten to help slow down the overall progression of color changes. If we have warm weather over the next few weeks, that will also likely delay peak color somewhat.”
The Arboretum, which has tree collections containing nearly 4,100 different plants, has a long fall-color season to both enjoy and study, as tree species change color at various times. Arboretum visitors can track fall colors as they emerge throughout its 1,700 acres in a weekly Fall Color Report on its website.
Fall Color Festival
The fall season marks the start of the Arboretum’s annual Fall Color Festival, with festivities for all ages throughout October. Special events include the Cider and Ale Festival, Oct. 5; 14th Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch, Oct. 11 through 13; Fall Color 5K Run and Walk, Oct. 26; Walking Plays: “The Grimmest of Tales,” weekends Sept. 28 through Oct. 27; and the Señorita Mariposa Story Walk, daily through Oct. 31.
Seasonal concessions will also be available on weekends in October and Oct. 14 (Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day) outside the Visitor Center, including apple cider doughnuts, taffy apples, cotton candy, warm kettle corn, warm pretzels, chili and a selection of craft beers and warm beverages.
The Fall Color Festival is generously supported by GreenState Credit Union and Morton Salt, Inc.
For more information about Arboretum programs and special events, visit mortonarb.org.