Fall Colors 2015

[Coyote]

The Season of Hunting for Fall Colors is fast approaching us,
I was disappointed with the Loess Hills last year,
I drove from Missouri to Sioux City without much luck.
Any one else planning any day trips this year?

[Brad]

Wow... and I thought I was excited... You are way early!

Mid October I think I will be out and about as much as possible.

[Coyote]

Starting this year's thread just 3 weeks earlier than last year's...

[bigredmed]

Starting this year's thread just 3 weeks earlier than last year's...

Considering that my cottonwood is already dumping all over my back yard, this is probably wise.

[skinzfan23]

I did notice a tree on Hwy 75 near Bellevue that is already starting to turn mostly red.

[nativeomahan]

The peak season falls between mid October and early November. Most trees show their best color around the end of October, to early November.

[GetUrban]

Starting this year's thread just 3 weeks earlier than last year's...

Considering that my cottonwood is already dumping all over my back yard, this is probably wise.

Ours are doing the same...not even turning yellow first, just dumping leaves at a steady rate. Must be from all the rain we've had. I don't remember it ever happening so soon in early to mid August.

[Coyote]

Getting closer... Anyone see any signs of color in the area?

[skinzfan23]

Once again, there are a few trees on Hwy 75 just south of cornhusker that have already turned. In fact, one of them turned 2-3 weeks ago. I also noticed some of the trees in the Leahy mall downtown have started turning yellow.

[Brad]

I have seen a few hint of color here and there, mostly in no native and young trees, but I would say we are month from the good stuff. Usually mid to late October in the Omaha area.

[Coyote]

Seen in my 'hood:

[MTO]

I'm planning a hike from 23520–23790 Pokamoke Ln
Crescent, IA and hiking through the autumn umbrage to the quarry, hoping I can get some amazing shots.

Wishful thinking but we have had plenty of precip recently..

[Brad]

Interesting year....

The Locust Trees, which always seem to be one of the first are starting to turn like they normally do. Unfortunately these colorful trees are usually done before a lot of the others even start to turn in Mid October. Locust trees have the little tiny leaves that turn bright yellow

There are some variety of ash trees that seem to be starting to turn a little, Not very colorful yet.

Then there are a lot of trees that just don't look good at all. Not sure what the problem is other than we had a very wet summer and humid fall. These trees are just looking sort of brownish. I have also seen a few trees like the one Coyote posted that seem to have some sort of "bi-polar" issues... Probably something stressing the tree out making 1/2 of it turn.

The sumac is sort of truing, but it doesn't seem to be that healthy either. Couple stands I have been by this week don't seem to have a lot of leaves on them.

All and all, looks like we are still a couple weeks away from the "Big Show", but I am not sure how big it will be this year.

[skinzfan23]

Starting to change downtown:

[nativeomahan]

That's a great photo.

[skinzfan23]

That's a great photo.

Thanks, one of these days I should also edit my shots to make them look a little bit better.

[nativeomahan]

We took the drive down to Nebraska City from Omaha today, down US 75. The sumac is nearing peak, as are the 'burning bushes', which probably aren't their formal name, but everyone calls them that. Some of the ash and locust trees are also showing good color, but very little else is. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so no photos to share.
There must have been a tremendous run on Kimmel Orchards yesterday, as they were completely out of pies, and rather short on apples as well. But it is still worth the trip on a bright sunny day like today. The Lied Lodge is looking beautiful, both inside and out.

[Coyote]

Was the Apple Jack Festival this weekend?

[Brad]

Was the Apple Jack Festival this weekend?

No, that was a few weeks ago. But its not worth dealing with, go this time of the year and its so much better without the crowds.

[Brad]

I am not putting a lot of hope in "Fall Color 2015". We are still a week or two away from when the majority of trees should be peaking, but I keep noticing more and more trees with a lot of brown spots and brown leaves. The Locust trees are looking really good right now, but that's about it.

[Coyote]

I saw a ton of leaves falling today...

[Brad]

I saw a ton of leaves falling today...

Hope we don't get too much wind today, we might see a lot more falling...

One a positive note, I did see some really nice colors yesterday along I80 near 108th street. Hope that's a sign of things to come.

[Coyote]

... and I have been hearing Freeze Warnings in the area.

[Brad]

... and I have been hearing Freeze Warnings in the area.

Out in central Nebraska. Its barely going to get below 40 around here for the next 10 days.

[Brad]

Good News!

Fall colors in Omaha should burst forth over the next week

http://www.omaha.com/weather/fall-color ... 6f9e7.html

“Over the course of the next week or so,’’ Walker said, “we should get a pretty spectacular show.’’

John Fech, Kathleen Cue and Scott Evans, arborists and horticulturists at Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties, said good, damp growing conditions that occurred across the region in the spring and summer should be producing rich color soon.

[Brad]

Hopefully this cold snap will kick these trees in to high gear, its been a below average fall to this point.

[nativeomahan]

Color is appearing all over the city now. The larger trees are finally showing color. This cold snap will probably speed up some trees changing color.
Traditionally, the last week of October is the height of our fall colors. Next week will probably be the height this year, however.

[zippy]

Does anybody have suggestions for leaf-peeping drive this weekend? Are there still some good colors out there?

[Brad]

Does anybody have suggestions for leaf-peeping drive this weekend? Are there still some good colors out there?

I have yet to see anything really good this year. Just a nice tree here and there. Just not a good year for fall colors.

[Coyote]

Does anybody have suggestions for leaf-peeping drive this weekend? Are there still some good colors out there?

I have yet to see anything really good this year. Just a nice tree here and there. Just not a good year for fall colors.

Yeah, this year has been a disappointment for color. I drive through the Loess Hills is your best option, which really isn't anything to speak of.

[nativeomahan]

I disagree. My neighborhood has been spectacular with color the past week or so. The city itself is near or just past peak color.

[skinzfan23]

I disagree. My neighborhood has been spectacular with color the past week or so. The city itself is near or just past peak color.

My neighborhood is just like yours. We had great color for the past 2 weeks, but within the past week with the wind many of the leaves have fallen off.

[Brad]

I would agree that the best color is in random parts of town. Coyote has been to the Loess hills over and over and I have seen any of his photos that make me want to run out and take photos. I made the Sarpy Cass county loop (Sap Brothers, Springfield, Louisville, South Benb, Ashland, Yutan, Memphis, Omaha) and there was almost zero color on that loop. Still haven't seen much downtown either.

I have zero fall color photos this year from the Midwest.

Still a strange year, the locust trees that usually turn first in the later part of September, there are still Bright Yellow locust trees at 91st and Dodge and Green locust trees at 96th and Dodge.