CLEVELAND — With the dozens of parks and preserves in Northeast Ohio, our region is the place to be see the beauty of fall, and it’s likely guaranteed that every time you step outside, you’ll be greeted with trees dressed in a wide spectrum of yellow, orange and reds. With fall right around the corner, it's never too early to find out exactly when peak fall colors will make their appearance in our backyards and our favorite hiking trails.
Some trees have already started to change color, but the Ohio Department of Natural Resources says environmental conditions like an abnormally dry and hot summer can cause trees to show their colors early. It’s only when the days begin to shorten that trees show their true colors.
Decrease in sunlight triggers a chemical change in the leaves, which stop producing chlorophyll as the days get shorter and leaves the opportunity to reveal the colors that are synonymous with fall.
Power of 5 meteorologist Bryan Shaw predicts peak fall foliage likely won’t happen for about another five to six weeks.
ODNR said while Ohio's trees can be divided into two color groups—reds and yellows— some display both.
Red colors: red oak, white oak, pine oak, shingle oak, black cherry, dogwood and sumac.
Mixed colors: buckeye, red maple, sweetgum, sassafras and sugar maple.
Yellow colors: ash, beech, birch, hickory, black locust, tulip poplar, black walnut, cottonwood, sycamore and basswood.
If you want to see a fall foliage prediction map, Smokymountains.com offers one that shows when fall colors will appear in each region. While no tool can be 100% accurate, this map allows users to choose a week and see the progression of fall foliage in their region. Find it here.
When the colors finally pop, here's where you can take it all in to see the incredible fall color views.
- Virginia Kendall Ledges—701 Truzell Road, Peninsula 44264
- Whipps Ledges—2001 State Road Hinkley, Ohio 44233
- The Holden Arboretum—9550 Sperry Road Kirtland, Ohio 44094
- Rocky River Reservation— Rocky River Nature Center : 24000 Valley Parkway North Olmsted, Ohio 44070
- Lake Erie Bluffs—3301 Lane Road Perry Township, Ohio
- Nelson Ledges Quarry Park—12001 Nelson Ledge Road Garrettsville, Ohio