Q: The switch from summer to fall is beginning but some trees
have already made an unexpected transformation to their fall
colors. Why is this? Does this mean this year's fall color
display will be early and not as vibrant? Average Fall Color
Dates A: Some tree species, such as ash, are known to get a
jumpstart on the fall color change. So it's not uncommon for
people to see one or two ash trees in their neighborhood that
have colored leaves. However, early coloration in other tree
species can mean the tree is stressed, either from a disease or
physiological stress, such as lack of water or too much of it.
As a result, these trees will shut down operations for the year
before other individuals of the same species. For example,
stressed maples are prone to early coloration and will change
color up to a month earlier than their healthy counterparts.
People who enjoy fall foliage should expect an early change in
most areas of the state and, in fact, fall color change has just
become noticeable in the northern pa