Fall colors coming soon to Tri-Cities region, ETSU experts say

Fall colors are reaching their peak in areas across the Southern Appalachians. Vibrant oranges and yellows will cascade through lower elevations this weekend and into next week, according to East Tennessee State University experts. In the university's latest fall colors report, ETSU Campus Arborist Travis Watson noted that elevations from 3,000 to 4,000 feet are approaching their brightest hues. That means high elevation towns and mountain roads remain strong viewing options over the coming days. "We have so many windy mountain roads," Watson said. "Pick your favorite, grab a lunch and make a day of it."Watson recommends scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Highways 321 and 421, the old Asheville Highway, Mount Rogers and Grayson Highlands in Virginia and Unaka Mountain. Storm leaves most color intact While Hurricane Isaias shook up some trees across the region, the storm appears to have caused less leaf loss than initially feared, according to the report. Andrew Joyner, Tennessee's state climatologist and an ETSU professor, said some downed trees were reported at higher elevations, particularly on the North Carolina side of the mountains, but most foliage held. "I think if this tropical system had come through a week or two later, then we would have had more leaf loss," Joyner said. "A lot of leaves were still green or just showing light color, so they didn't blow off as easily." Watson saw a similar pattern, noting that poplars and other species that tend to drop leaves earlier appeared to take the brunt of the leaf loss. "The winds from Isaias certainly brought a lot of leaves off the trees," he said. "Some areas undoubtedly saw more of this than others, but it looks like the majority of the forest is still pretty unaffected." Tri-Cities color is coming The majority of the Tri-Cities sits at elevations of roughly 1,000 to 3,000 feet, giving the area another week or two before peak color becomes widespread. But some color is already making subtle appearances. "I am seeing a lot of wonderful color in neighborhoods and urban spaces now," Watson said. On ETSU's campus, Watson keeps a close eye on the Burning Bush near Sherrod Library as one indicator that color is moving into the valley. Those shrubs are already well on their way to brilliant red. He is also watching the ash trees around the ETSU Foundation Carillon and Seehorn Road, which have held their leaves better than in some previous years and are beginning to color nicely. At this point in the season, Watson said the progression of color is largely set. Weather can still affect how long the display lasts, particularly during high winds or severe drought, but it is less likely to alter the overall course of the season dramatically.