Why climate change is making it harder to chase fall foliage
CTV
Leaf peeping, the practice of traveling to watch nature display its fall colours, is a beloved annual activity in many corners of the U.S. But recent seasons have been disrupted by weather conditions, and the trend is likely to continue as the planet warms, experts say.
For a cheery autumnal activity, leaf peeping is facing some serious threats from the era of climate change.
Leaf peeping, the practice of traveling to watch nature display its fall colours, is a beloved annual activity in many corners of the country, especially New England and New York. But recent seasons have been disrupted by weather conditions there and elsewhere, and the trend is likely to continue as the planet warms, said arborists, conservationists and ecologists.
Typically, by the end of September, leaves cascade into warmer hues throughout the U.S. This year, many areas have yet to even pivot from their summer green shades. In northern Maine, where peak conditions typically arrive in late September, forest rangers had reported less than 70% colour change and moderate leaf drop on Wednesday.
Across the country in Denver, high temperatures have left "dead, dry edges of leaves" early in the season, said Michael Sundberg, a certified arborist in the area.
