The major leaf fall has occurred in the Catskills and the landscape has turned drab brown. But wait! There is still vibrant color out there.
Fall colors have peaked and you may be thinking, “Here comes the bare trees and the brown of November. Can I deal with this?”
But wait! Start looking around. There is still color in the woods.
Wow, not just basic color, but flashy splashes of color that catch your eye!
What is this? I thought the colored diorama of fall was done?
Welcome to the late bloomers of fall color: oak, aspen, and beech, along with some others here and there.
Beech can have a striking color that lights up the woods after the main glory of color has dropped to the ground. It tends to hide more because it is in the understory.
Beech is a very shade tolerant tree that can survive in the understory of the woods.
Unfortunately, beech has a disease (beech bark disease) that keeps it from thriving to maturity, so it isn’t often a healthy part of the overstory.
Beech gives a vibrant flavor to what can seem very brown once the green of summer is gone and the main colors of fall are being recycled on the forest floor.
It can tantalize with various colors all on the same tree…
Or at different layers in the woods.
Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, so you may see something that really grabs you, while others may not notice.
So, what are you waiting for? Head out on a hunt for this late fall bloomer of color. Enjoy it as you walk the woods getting refreshed and staying healthy.
