Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Kentucky Foliage Report.
Eastern Kentucky
At Carter Caves State Resort Park, many leaves have turned and fallen off over the weekend. We still have some green in the canopy which will quickly turn after the cool weather hits this weekend. We have experienced approximately 65-70 percent color change at the park and expect to peak next week.
OCTOBER 17 – 18: Carter Caves Haunted Trail - The ghouls and goblins have risen from the underground world at Carter Caves to scare you silly on these two weekends! Come and take the walk through our 1/2 mile haunted trail, if you dare -- and don't forget to bring your "Mummy."
Our past trail survivors consider Carter Caves Haunted Trail to be one of the best Haunted Trails in the region. Trail admission is $7.00 per person. Concessions will be sold at the beginning of the trail. This activity is not recommended for young children. Transportation to and from the trailhead will be provided by the park. Ticket sales are held on each night of the event from 7:30pm - 10:00pm at Carter Caves Public
Pool.
At Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, near Prestonsburg, red, yellow, and orange colors show everywhere. This week trees with great color are sourwoods, tulip tree, sugar maple, red maple, sassafras and spice bush.
The third week of October is predicted to be peak color this fall.
Remember to make your reservations for the Elk Viewing tours. Bull elk are bugling throughout the hills of Eastern Kentucky with over 100 elk being sited each tour--a great time for viewing. Also plan to enjoy the Haunted Hay Ride October 17-18 and 24-25 at the campground.
At Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade the forest’s fall color display has increased to approximately a 35-50 percent color change depending on location. On the ridge tops beautiful shades of red can be seen on sourwood, red maple, and black gum. In the valleys, the sugar maple and walnut leaves are increasing in color adding various yellows and oranges to the fall color palette. White oaks are beginning to show some muted reds. Typically, the peak of fall color at Natural Bridge is during the last two weeks of October. Bring the whole family and join special guest performers, John Tierney and Anne MacFie on Thursday, October 30 at 8 p.m. for "Spooky Songs and Scary Tales" in the activities center.
At Pine Mountain State Resort Park, the fall color transformation continues to advance toward peak conditions across southeastern Kentucky with displays presently ranging from 40 – 60 percent depending on slope and exposure. Trees and shrubs that are particularly colorful at this time include red and sugar maples, dogwood, and sumac. Rain will be needed in the next 5-7 days in order if this year’s autumn display is to achieve its full potential.
Fall is well underway at the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, with about 40 percent color change. Dogwoods, Maples, Sourwoods, and Sumacs are displaying their full red glory. Some maples and sassafras are showing hints of orange, and the redbuds, basswoods, and Tulip Tree are showing off in yellow. Hickories are beginning their golden change and the Beech is starting a nice tan color. Some oaks are beginning their change as well with brown and red their dominant colors. Peak will be in about a week to 10 days based upon the current rate of change.
North Central Kentucky
At Big Bone Lick State Park, in Union, the leaves of many different trees are now starting to fall quite steadily with the weather turning much colder. Among the most colorful leaves right now are the tulip poplar leaves. The best viewing of the fall leaves is from the park looking outwards toward the surrounding hills. From the top hill of the lake you can peer out and see the many colors of fall. The mixing of the yellows, browns, reds, oranges and greens makes for a truly awesome and spectacular sight.
Although autumn color is taking its time arriving at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest near Clermont, colorful leaves, fruits and flowers can be seen everywhere. Green leaves are touched by gold, crimson, orange or soft brown throughout the gardens and forest. Seasonal color includes the stunning crimson leaves of black tupelo and red maple trees and the spectacular lime-yellow leaves of the ‘golden rey’ lacebark elm tree. The scarlet and orange leaves of sassafras and sumac also top the list of the some of our early fall show-offs, as do the stately bald cypress trees with their orangey brown leaves that drop only to create a beautiful soft brown carpet beneath the trees. Finally, the yellow leaves of American yellowwood, sweet gum and big leaf magnolia signal that fall has arrived.
Ornamental plants with outstanding autumn fruit set and color in the Arboretum include ‘Sundance’ and ‘byer’s golden’ possum haw holly with loads of cherry red and soft-yellow fruits, respectively. The red-fruited "Red splendor’, yellow-fruited ‘Canary’ and red-orange fruited ‘Indian-magic’ crabapple trees are a delightful sight, as well.
Fall color from autumn-blooming shrubs and perennials at Bernheim include pale-pink glossy abelia blooms, pale-pink ‘Frosty Morn’ stone crop flower heads, the lavender-blue flowering bluebeard and chaste tree shrubs, magenta-purple blazing star flowers, lavender-blue blooms of New England aster and blush-pink gaura blossoms.
Plan to attend COLORFEST, Bernheim’s fall festival on October 18-19.
Come out to delight in nature’s vivid fall colors and enjoy family fun, entertainment, great food and hands-on explorations.
At Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary, near Frankfort/Versailles, the sugar maples are golden, red maples and sassafras are crimson, hackberry and box elder are yellow, oaks are brown, and white ash are maroon.
The colors are not as vivid as wetter years. We predict that weekend of the 25th and 26th of October will be the best for colors in the Frankfort/Versailles area.
South Central Kentucky
At the Lake Cumberland State Resort Park area, near Jamestown, there is about 45 to 50 percent change. Here you will see some yellows and browns in the tulip, maple, beech, hickories, walnut and paw paws. Some red and browns can be spotted in the dogwood, maple, black gum, oaks and sumac. Due to the hot, dry weather color change has been slow this fall. The predicted peak color should be October 19 - 25.
Dale Hallow Lake State Resort Park, near Burkesville, has about a 45 percent color change. Tulip poplars and paw paws bright yellow shows out as well as a few elms. Maples are changing to a fiery orange red. Black gums, sassafras, and shining sumac are very evident along the roadsides as they are changing to a deep burgundy red. Colors are changing and fading fast this year, so make plans now to visit and see the fall colors.
For a spooky good time, when leaves will be near their peak, attend the Haunted Hollow Hotel (October 25) where you can hear the sounds of Elvis in the dining room, trick-or-treat, ride on a haunted hayride, and enjoy other spooky activities such as pumpkin carving contest and tie-dye t-shirts. Also make plans for the Beginners Caving Weekend (Nov 7-9) to enjoy the outdoor colors even more. For more information on the changing colors or special events call 800-325-2282.
The roadsides in Mammoth Cave National Park are beautiful with fall color. A drive through the park, or a paddle on Green River, or a hike in the backcountry will thrill those who claim autumn as their favorite month. The park is at about 50 percent color change. Coming up on October 17-18, take part in Mammoth Cave's Genealogy Seminars and Cemetery Workshop. These events are open to the public and free of charge; please note the venues are outside the park.
The Genealogy Seminar begins at 6:30 p.m., Friday, October 17 at the Lions Club in Park City, Kentucky. The Lions Club building is accessed from Brown Road, and is located right behind Bell's Tavern Historical Park. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Ranger Joy Lyons, 270-758-2435, or by email at joy_lyons@nps.gov.
Western Kentucky
Wherever you look into the canopy of the more than 700 acres of forest at John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Ky., the dominant color is green. But a walk along the any of our more than six miles of trails displays an array of autumn colors dominated by the scarlet-colored Virginia creeper, the gold of the tulip poplar and the basswood, and the golden brown oak leaves. All of this is punctuated with the brilliant red berries of the Hawthorne, the Dogwood and the Holly.
Until October 27, nationally known artist, Devere Burt, is featured with Mary Louise Holt in our Audubon Museum gallery. Burt’s work depicts the life and times of John James Audubon as he lived and worked in the Great Ohio Valley. Holt’s exhibit features the lives of the American Indian during the mid-nineteenth century. The Museum is open from 10 a.m.
until 5 p.m. daily.
The third Friday of each month finds area artists enjoying the camaraderie of the Artists Retreats at the Audubon Museum.
Pre-registration is required. Bring your own art and supplies. The annual Fall Golf Classic will be played on Saturday, October 18 at Henderson Municipal city Golf Course and on Sunday, October 19 at Audubon Golf Course. Call (270) 826-2247 for details on all programs.
The leaves at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park and Pennyrile State Forest, near Dawson Springs, are about 40 percent changed which means that faint color is seen in the forest. Although much of the forest remains green, maples, elms, sycamores, tulip poplars and walnuts have begun to show off their yellows. Of the red color that can be seen in the forest, much is coming from black gums (always one of the first trees to change), maples, sumac and sassafras. Two vines are also showing off some beautiful shades of reds - poison ivy and Virginia creeper. Devil’s walking stick and dogwood are two other small trees that are showing off yellow, purple or pink. Unfortunately, many of the dogwoods are not as showy as in years past. Color is muted and many are barely turning before they turn brown. Although the drought is affecting fall color there is still lots of pretty colors to be seen in the forest.
Register now for Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park's digital Fall Photography Weekend, October 17-19. Besides abundant natural beauty, the weekend consists of a photo contest with point-and-shoot, intermediate, and masters divisions, evening programs, critique and award ceremony.
Bring your own camera. Registration is $30 but register by October 11 and receive a $5 discount. Children ages 16 and under, may participate for a fee of $10. Participants can receive a 10 percent discount on lodging. Contact park Naturalist, Rebecca Clark, at 800-325-1711 or email her at rebeccae.clark@ky.gov for more information
At Land Between the Lakes, the recent rains have made the colors of many trees stick around for another great week of color. We are seeing deep oranges and yellows dotting shorelines, and roadsides as the sugar maples are in full color. The crimson reds of dogwoods, black gums, sweet gums intermix with the just beginning yellows of hickories, and the golden browns of oaks.
One of the prettiest drives in Land Between the Lakes is the road to Nevell Bay and Prior Bay. Along this drive you will mix the color of the trees with the reflective surface of the waters.
At Carter Caves State Resort Park, many leaves have turned and fallen off over the weekend. We still have some green in the canopy which will quickly turn after the cool weather hits this weekend. We have experienced approximately 65-70 percent color change at the park and expect to peak next week.
OCTOBER 17 – 18: Carter Caves Haunted Trail - The ghouls and goblins have risen from the underground world at Carter Caves to scare you silly on these two weekends! Come and take the walk through our 1/2 mile haunted trail, if you dare -- and don't forget to bring your "Mummy."
Our past trail survivors consider Carter Caves Haunted Trail to be one of the best Haunted Trails in the region. Trail admission is $7.00 per person. Concessions will be sold at the beginning of the trail. This activity is not recommended for young children. Transportation to and from the trailhead will be provided by the park. Ticket sales are held on each night of the event from 7:30pm - 10:00pm at Carter Caves Public
Pool.
At Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, near Prestonsburg, red, yellow, and orange colors show everywhere. This week trees with great color are sourwoods, tulip tree, sugar maple, red maple, sassafras and spice bush.
The third week of October is predicted to be peak color this fall.
Remember to make your reservations for the Elk Viewing tours. Bull elk are bugling throughout the hills of Eastern Kentucky with over 100 elk being sited each tour--a great time for viewing. Also plan to enjoy the Haunted Hay Ride October 17-18 and 24-25 at the campground.
At Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade the forest’s fall color display has increased to approximately a 35-50 percent color change depending on location. On the ridge tops beautiful shades of red can be seen on sourwood, red maple, and black gum. In the valleys, the sugar maple and walnut leaves are increasing in color adding various yellows and oranges to the fall color palette. White oaks are beginning to show some muted reds. Typically, the peak of fall color at Natural Bridge is during the last two weeks of October. Bring the whole family and join special guest performers, John Tierney and Anne MacFie on Thursday, October 30 at 8 p.m. for "Spooky Songs and Scary Tales" in the activities center.
At Pine Mountain State Resort Park, the fall color transformation continues to advance toward peak conditions across southeastern Kentucky with displays presently ranging from 40 – 60 percent depending on slope and exposure. Trees and shrubs that are particularly colorful at this time include red and sugar maples, dogwood, and sumac. Rain will be needed in the next 5-7 days in order if this year’s autumn display is to achieve its full potential.
Fall is well underway at the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, with about 40 percent color change. Dogwoods, Maples, Sourwoods, and Sumacs are displaying their full red glory. Some maples and sassafras are showing hints of orange, and the redbuds, basswoods, and Tulip Tree are showing off in yellow. Hickories are beginning their golden change and the Beech is starting a nice tan color. Some oaks are beginning their change as well with brown and red their dominant colors. Peak will be in about a week to 10 days based upon the current rate of change.
North Central Kentucky
At Big Bone Lick State Park, in Union, the leaves of many different trees are now starting to fall quite steadily with the weather turning much colder. Among the most colorful leaves right now are the tulip poplar leaves. The best viewing of the fall leaves is from the park looking outwards toward the surrounding hills. From the top hill of the lake you can peer out and see the many colors of fall. The mixing of the yellows, browns, reds, oranges and greens makes for a truly awesome and spectacular sight.
Although autumn color is taking its time arriving at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest near Clermont, colorful leaves, fruits and flowers can be seen everywhere. Green leaves are touched by gold, crimson, orange or soft brown throughout the gardens and forest. Seasonal color includes the stunning crimson leaves of black tupelo and red maple trees and the spectacular lime-yellow leaves of the ‘golden rey’ lacebark elm tree. The scarlet and orange leaves of sassafras and sumac also top the list of the some of our early fall show-offs, as do the stately bald cypress trees with their orangey brown leaves that drop only to create a beautiful soft brown carpet beneath the trees. Finally, the yellow leaves of American yellowwood, sweet gum and big leaf magnolia signal that fall has arrived.
Ornamental plants with outstanding autumn fruit set and color in the Arboretum include ‘Sundance’ and ‘byer’s golden’ possum haw holly with loads of cherry red and soft-yellow fruits, respectively. The red-fruited "Red splendor’, yellow-fruited ‘Canary’ and red-orange fruited ‘Indian-magic’ crabapple trees are a delightful sight, as well.
Fall color from autumn-blooming shrubs and perennials at Bernheim include pale-pink glossy abelia blooms, pale-pink ‘Frosty Morn’ stone crop flower heads, the lavender-blue flowering bluebeard and chaste tree shrubs, magenta-purple blazing star flowers, lavender-blue blooms of New England aster and blush-pink gaura blossoms.
Plan to attend COLORFEST, Bernheim’s fall festival on October 18-19.
Come out to delight in nature’s vivid fall colors and enjoy family fun, entertainment, great food and hands-on explorations.
At Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary, near Frankfort/Versailles, the sugar maples are golden, red maples and sassafras are crimson, hackberry and box elder are yellow, oaks are brown, and white ash are maroon.
The colors are not as vivid as wetter years. We predict that weekend of the 25th and 26th of October will be the best for colors in the Frankfort/Versailles area.
South Central Kentucky
At the Lake Cumberland State Resort Park area, near Jamestown, there is about 45 to 50 percent change. Here you will see some yellows and browns in the tulip, maple, beech, hickories, walnut and paw paws. Some red and browns can be spotted in the dogwood, maple, black gum, oaks and sumac. Due to the hot, dry weather color change has been slow this fall. The predicted peak color should be October 19 - 25.
Dale Hallow Lake State Resort Park, near Burkesville, has about a 45 percent color change. Tulip poplars and paw paws bright yellow shows out as well as a few elms. Maples are changing to a fiery orange red. Black gums, sassafras, and shining sumac are very evident along the roadsides as they are changing to a deep burgundy red. Colors are changing and fading fast this year, so make plans now to visit and see the fall colors.
For a spooky good time, when leaves will be near their peak, attend the Haunted Hollow Hotel (October 25) where you can hear the sounds of Elvis in the dining room, trick-or-treat, ride on a haunted hayride, and enjoy other spooky activities such as pumpkin carving contest and tie-dye t-shirts. Also make plans for the Beginners Caving Weekend (Nov 7-9) to enjoy the outdoor colors even more. For more information on the changing colors or special events call 800-325-2282.
The roadsides in Mammoth Cave National Park are beautiful with fall color. A drive through the park, or a paddle on Green River, or a hike in the backcountry will thrill those who claim autumn as their favorite month. The park is at about 50 percent color change. Coming up on October 17-18, take part in Mammoth Cave's Genealogy Seminars and Cemetery Workshop. These events are open to the public and free of charge; please note the venues are outside the park.
The Genealogy Seminar begins at 6:30 p.m., Friday, October 17 at the Lions Club in Park City, Kentucky. The Lions Club building is accessed from Brown Road, and is located right behind Bell's Tavern Historical Park. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Ranger Joy Lyons, 270-758-2435, or by email at joy_lyons@nps.gov.
Western Kentucky
Wherever you look into the canopy of the more than 700 acres of forest at John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Ky., the dominant color is green. But a walk along the any of our more than six miles of trails displays an array of autumn colors dominated by the scarlet-colored Virginia creeper, the gold of the tulip poplar and the basswood, and the golden brown oak leaves. All of this is punctuated with the brilliant red berries of the Hawthorne, the Dogwood and the Holly.
Until October 27, nationally known artist, Devere Burt, is featured with Mary Louise Holt in our Audubon Museum gallery. Burt’s work depicts the life and times of John James Audubon as he lived and worked in the Great Ohio Valley. Holt’s exhibit features the lives of the American Indian during the mid-nineteenth century. The Museum is open from 10 a.m.
until 5 p.m. daily.
The third Friday of each month finds area artists enjoying the camaraderie of the Artists Retreats at the Audubon Museum.
Pre-registration is required. Bring your own art and supplies. The annual Fall Golf Classic will be played on Saturday, October 18 at Henderson Municipal city Golf Course and on Sunday, October 19 at Audubon Golf Course. Call (270) 826-2247 for details on all programs.
The leaves at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park and Pennyrile State Forest, near Dawson Springs, are about 40 percent changed which means that faint color is seen in the forest. Although much of the forest remains green, maples, elms, sycamores, tulip poplars and walnuts have begun to show off their yellows. Of the red color that can be seen in the forest, much is coming from black gums (always one of the first trees to change), maples, sumac and sassafras. Two vines are also showing off some beautiful shades of reds - poison ivy and Virginia creeper. Devil’s walking stick and dogwood are two other small trees that are showing off yellow, purple or pink. Unfortunately, many of the dogwoods are not as showy as in years past. Color is muted and many are barely turning before they turn brown. Although the drought is affecting fall color there is still lots of pretty colors to be seen in the forest.
Register now for Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park's digital Fall Photography Weekend, October 17-19. Besides abundant natural beauty, the weekend consists of a photo contest with point-and-shoot, intermediate, and masters divisions, evening programs, critique and award ceremony.
Bring your own camera. Registration is $30 but register by October 11 and receive a $5 discount. Children ages 16 and under, may participate for a fee of $10. Participants can receive a 10 percent discount on lodging. Contact park Naturalist, Rebecca Clark, at 800-325-1711 or email her at rebeccae.clark@ky.gov for more information
At Land Between the Lakes, the recent rains have made the colors of many trees stick around for another great week of color. We are seeing deep oranges and yellows dotting shorelines, and roadsides as the sugar maples are in full color. The crimson reds of dogwoods, black gums, sweet gums intermix with the just beginning yellows of hickories, and the golden browns of oaks.
One of the prettiest drives in Land Between the Lakes is the road to Nevell Bay and Prior Bay. Along this drive you will mix the color of the trees with the reflective surface of the waters.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 12:19 PM 
