Upper Cumberland’s Fall Foliage Set To Peak Over Next Two Weeks

The Upper Cumberland fall foliage is set to reach its peak over the next two weeks.

Urban Forester Jaime Nunan said that while it has taken time for the transition, a tree’s fall colors are actually in the tree year-round.

“The green color that we see during the summer is the chlorophyll that’s being produced by the tree,” Nunan said. “And that’s actually produced and broken down all summer long. And then when it transitions into fall color time is when the nights get a little bit longer and colder the trees stop producing as much, and the chlorophyll starts to disappear. ”

Nunan said that having a lot of rain has also helped contribute to a colorful season.

Nunan said that a tree’s fall colors are predetermined based on species. She said that the most colorful trees native to the Upper Cumberland are the maples.

“The ones that everyone seems to like the most are the maples, the red maples and the sugar maples that are native to our area, and those are the more red and orange-colored trees,” Nunan said. “Sweetgum have more of a purple-red color, I know a lot of people call and ask what kind of colors those are. Oak trees are more of a yellow and brown color so those aren’t typically everyone’s favorite but they can create a good amount of fall color.”