10/7/2010
Charleston, W.Va. – Leaves in all of West Virginia’s 55 counties are exchanging their summer greens for a variety of fall colors. Yellow poplars are living up to their name, especially in Berkeley, Monongalia and Wetzel counties. Virginia creeper and black gum are showing deep reds throughout Pendleton County, and hickories and dogwoods in Harrison County are too colorful to overlook.
Although drought conditions in areas of the state have led to premature leaf drop or browning of foliage, there are several sites West Virginia foresters recommend visiting this week to see colorful leaves.
The higher elevations of Tucker County remain the most colorful areas of the state again this week. Foliage is reported to be at 90 percent peak at those higher elevations, so this weekend will definitely be the last to check out good color there. Foresters recommend drives along U.S. Route 219 and State Routes 32 and 72.
Foliage in Mineral County currently is at 60 percent peak. Drives along County Route 4/State Route 46 Pinnacle Road are recommended. Foresters expect foliage transition to advance greatly within the next week.
Pendleton County’s foliage is reported to be at 50 percent peak this week, and local foresters recommend a drive along U.S. Route 33 near Seneca Rocks across North Mountain. Pocahontas County’s foliage also is reported to be at 50 percent peak this week.
Counties with 40 percent peak foliage include Fayette, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Nicholas, Randolph, Summers, Upshur and Webster, as well as the lower elevations of Preston and Tucker. Two counties, Grant and Monroe, are at 35 percent peak foliage. Counties at 30 percent are Braxton, Clay, Lewis, McDowell, Mercer, Raleigh and Wyoming.
State foresters will continue to track and report on foliage throughout October. The next fall foliage report will be released on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010.
For more information about fall foliage, visit the Division of Forestry’s website at www.wvforestry.com.
Contact Information
Leslie Fitzwater, Public Information Specialist
304.957.9342 or 304.541.8102
Leslie.C.Fitzwater@wv.gov