Area trees begin changing colors as October nears

Hints of fall have begun to pop up around the area’s natural sites.

Trees throughout the community are starting to show changing colors, signaling the beginning of fall color viewing season.

“There are a few species of trees that will start turning colors in the next week or two,” said Franklin County Conservation Director Ned Parker. “The peak will be the end of the month (September) through mid-October.”

The Iowa DNR on Monday, Sept. 21 released its fall color report, stating that North Central Iowa would see its peak between Oct. 12 and Oct. 15 while Northeast Iowa’s peak will arrive a week early, on Oct. 5.

While peak season in the area may vary, Parker said a closer look at area trees re-veals that color changing in some species has already begun. He said to keep an eye out early on for white ashes, whose leaves turn purple with the fall shift.

As fall progresses, Parker said to seek out maple varieties, hickories and honey locusts, as they will bare the classic colors that draw eyes and camera lenses each sea-son.

“Those (maples) are going to be the real vivid ones as far as oranges and yellows,” he said. “There are a number of hickory species that will turn very vibrant yellow as will the honey locusts downtown (Hampton) and some ginko trees.”

To properly view fall colors isn’t just about the eyes, it’s equally about location as well. Parker said the top spot in the county is Maynes Grove for its scenic layout and variety of trees.

“That’s going to be your best bet,” he said. “We have a number of different maples and a couple of white ashes.”

He added that a simple trip through Hampton’s streets will yield plenty of pleasing colors.

“There are a lot of maples in the parkway or people’s yards,” he said.

For those who would like a side of exercise to go with fall viewing, Parker recommended the Rolling Prairie Trail. The stretch of trail from Olive Avenue to Highway 65, he said, yields plenty of species and varying colors. Recent efforts of the conservation department and the Hampton Tree Board have provided an array of species to present a palate of colors.

“That’s part of the factor that goes into what trees we choose, especially in high traffic areas,” he said. “In the next 10, 20 or 30 years, it’ll look very different in city parks and bike trails as we are transitioning away from predominately ash trees and looking for a huge diversity of trees.”

Along with the variety of trees on the trail comes a dose of education. At the gazebo on First Street NW along the trail is a newly planted arboretum with a map explaining the trees.

“We have all these different trees people can learn about,” he said. “People can see those trees and possibly make up their mind what they want to plant in their own yard.”