This years autumn compared to last
As many of you know from reading my blog, the weather conditions this past spring and summer, here in the Northeast, were quite damp and chilly. Consequently, many agricultural problems arose and farmers and gardeners experienced major disappointments, due to fungus and rot. Currently, it is the peak of leaf season and ideally, fall colors should be vibrant. However, in my area, that is proving to be lackluster, as well.
As already stated, many plant species, have suffered from various fungal conditions causing their leaves to curl and brown. And this autumn, the leaves of certain kinds of maple trees are covered with tar spot fungus. Tar spot developed in the wet spring and began to appear as dark spots in late summer. The fungus causes the leaves to turn brown and drop quickly to the ground. It's important to know that despite the presence of tar spot on leaves, the tree itself should be fine next spring, and hopefully, weather conditions will be much more favorable.
I wanted to show you a photo comparison of the same vistas taken this year and exactly one year ago. You'll see how less colorful things are this season. Fortunately, the sugar maples haven't been affected too badly and are still beautiful. I'm curious, what has your autumn been like?
1 A year ago, the view down the carriage trail leading to the stable, was aglow with vibrant color.
2 Not such vibrant color this year
3 The allay of linden trees were yellowing brightly last year.
4 This year, those same trees, and the surrounding ones, are more brown than yellow.
5 Last year, the trees beyond this stand of white pines were amazing.
6 This year, there are far fewer leaves and very little color.
7 Another sweeping vista from a year ago.
8 As you can see, there are far fewer leaves on the trees this year.
9 One year ago, these deep woods were a lush green while this tree was glowing yellow.
10 The same place - one year later
11 Last autumn, the trees surrounding this meadow were spectacular.
12 This autumn, they are far less vibrant with many leaves already fallen.
13 One year ago, this sugar maple next to my green house was glowing brightly.
14 This year, that same maple is still gorgeous, however, the trees beyond have far fewer leaves and less color.
15 A year ago, my little bass pond was covered with colorful fallen leaves.
16 This year, the floating leaves are mostly brown.
17 As you can see, these maple leaves are badly mottled with tar spot fungus.
18 Thankfully, these giant sugar maples are still putting on a lovely display this autumn.
Autumn in San Diego, Martha. . . .you were here this weekend, so you know it has been glorious! Not a lot of fall color, to be sure, but a week long road trip in the countryside (this year the Tetons and Yellowstone) takes care of our need for color. Then it's back to San Diego to enjoy our fabulous year-round climate.
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | October 20th, 2009 at 12:34 am
Wow these pictures are amazing. Thanks for the before and after.
Posted by: M!ssPr!ssy | October 20th, 2009 at 12:52 am
I live in southern California and autumn has been slow in showing itself. Some of the maple trees are slowly turning color, but I compensate by setting up fall arrangements throughout the garden.
Posted by: Enzie Shahmiri | October 20th, 2009 at 12:53 am
Oh so beautiful, wish we had those colors in the dessert. We have one season here, hot and hotter.
Posted by: Lani Price | October 20th, 2009 at 1:26 am
The pictures are a wonderful record of each year. Here in Britain the weather has been wet and damp after a nice spell of weather in June and early July. Our trees are certainly not as vibrant as last year and the leaves are falling quickly here. the weather is now a little colder and rain forecast! Susie
Posted by: Susie Parr | October 20th, 2009 at 4:31 am
Our maples here in Pa.also have the tar spot fungus. I just started making maple leaf roses and it proves a little difficult to fine some nice species. Here's to next autumn tho!
Posted by: diane callahan | October 20th, 2009 at 6:19 am
About four autumns ago we had tar spots(a fungus) on our Maples, sadly they have re-occured to some degree every year since on mine. I was told that if any leaves linger around from year to year they will re-infect, I wonder now if this is really true. Makes you think twice about composting them if this is a fact. Maybe you should find out from your experts. I live in southern Quebec,Canada.
Posted by: Valerie Ayerst | October 20th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Here in central Maine through to the western mountains the foliage was brilliant a few weeks ago.The leaves have mostly fallen now and we are quickly headed towards winter.
Posted by: Jan | October 20th, 2009 at 7:52 am
At our house in midcoast Maine, blight struck and the leaves were gone long before they got any colour.
Where we live now in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire, however, it's been gorgeous, though now we're two weeks past peak. You can see the colours in my Flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmwm/sets/72157620636913583/
I like the continuity of taking photos in the same spot from year to year - good idea!
Posted by: M Wms | October 20th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Here in Cleveland we also have tar spot fungus on most of the maples around my block. This morning, though, I noticed the most beautiful neon red and orange colors on some trees just before the sun was coming up and it was still a little dark, around 7:30 am. It looked like a Magritte painting.
Posted by: Bridgemcw | October 20th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Here in Utah the colors are always beautiful but I will have to see if they are different. Thanks for the pictures.
Posted by: Karlene Wissel | October 20th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Here in North Texas it's been very wet. A lot more rain then we normally get and they say it's going to be a wet winter as well, makes me wish I had set up more rain barrels.
Posted by: Sara | October 20th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Here in Western Canada, it was the same. Although we went from summer straight to winter. Green leaves still on trees, frozen.
Posted by: sue | October 20th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Lackluster is a perfect way to describe the fall this year. The showy display of color is missing. Everything is very pale in color and missing it's vibrance. After a heartbreaking gardening year and a dissapointing fall I do hope that Winter will be grand. I miss the big snow flakes of my youth and snow banks from the snow plow at the end of my driveway. Thanks for the photos what a beautiful property you have, I don't know how you leave it to go to work.
Posted by: Robin | October 20th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Here in Philly we are just beginning to see the change. However, I have noticed that the trees are not as lush with color as last year. And the ones that have changed from green to yellow are dropping quickly. The leaves are tinged brown. Last year and the year before our autumn was nothing less than brilliant/gorgeous. I went around collecting the various leaves it was so beautiful. I don't see that happening this year.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | October 20th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I live in Colorado. Our trees do not turn orange or red like on the east coast. We get yellow with a sprinkling of reddish in some brush. Our spring and summer were wet and cool as well. Our fall started out with snow on the first official day of fall! The aspen in the mountains did turn their normal bright yellow but the leaves along the front range are just turning brown and dying on the trees. We had snow and ice 2 weeks ago and that seemed to seal the deal. So our fall hasn't been spectacular either.
Posted by: Victoria | October 20th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Sugar maples ALWAYS seem to deliver with their colorful beauty, don't they?! I can see where this year's trees are much more bare, but at home here in Maryland - at least in our heavily-treed neighborhoods, the leaves are seeming to be hanging on longer this year. (The nearby mountain ranges may prove different overall, though.) Usually by October 15th, things are looking pretty autumny with a good bit of leaves down, but it appears like its a little earlier in October than it really is. Our color palette is lacking this year, too...I think that's another contributing factor in me thinking it's earlier than October 20th!
~
One of your attributes that I admire in you, Martha, is that no matter how busy your life is with your work, you always take time to take in and notice what's going on in your natural surroundings. For me, it allows me to catch my breath from my own busy-ness and be reminded of the things that bring me true inner joy and fulfillment and calm. I think, too, that this may be one of several ways how you might refresh and rejuvenate as well.
~
Autumn blessings, my Martha!
=^..^=
~
"There is nothing pleasanter than spading when the ground is soft and damp."--John Steinbeck
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 20th, 2009 at 10:39 am
That was a VERY interesting blog entry today Martha. Thank you for that.
Darrell White
Toronto, Canada
Posted by: Darrell White | October 20th, 2009 at 10:55 am
I have to say here in the NE the color has been fantastic, love your before and after pics and I can see the dramatic diff !!!
We had show here on Sunday, I can't remember an earlier snow, it has been a really COLD week not at all Oct. weather more like December...(someone should inform Al Gore lol)
I see you are in CA....I heard they had a lot of rain, I think in the LA area ???
All the best,
Kathy
ps I woneder if anyone else has trouble with your small font or is it just these old eyes ??? Thanks
Posted by: Kathy :) | October 20th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Thanks for the timeology blog--that is my word but it stands for the same place, same time, only a year later. Where I live we never never complain about rain. Our grass and yes weeds were record breakers this year. I am sure few wish to see my pictures of the difference. Your pictures were well.....just perfect.
Posted by: Margie | October 20th, 2009 at 11:40 am
We had a stunningly warm summer with very little rain over here in Seattle - and the trees are really showing all their colors this fall.
We took Friday off of work and are planning to take a day trip over the Cascades - the foliage just over on the east side near Leavenworth and Plain in Washington is stunning this time of year.
Posted by: Kare | October 20th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
We don't see much fall color on the trees in Austin, but occasionally a tree will surprise me. We had an incredibly hot and dry summer, so the rain we're getting this fall is nice but a bit much all at once. This is our planting season, and I'm getting ready to plant several new climbing vines on trellises in my back yard.
Posted by: lisa at lisaiscooking | October 20th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I was wondering if it was just me. I noticed that the trees that turn red did a little better than last year, but the trees that are usually vibrant yellow and orange are just falling off the trees without turning. I also have pictures of last year with lindens glowing like fire in the sun. I live in a small town just outside of Montréal Quebec Canada.
Posted by: Stephanie | October 20th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Looks great up here in the northern 'burbs of Chicago. The copious amounts of rain this year did nothing but good for the foliage - plus we're having a proper Indian Summer at the moment (projected high today: same as yesterday, that being mid-60s. Fabulous!). Sheridan Road, which runs from the Cthe north side of Chicago up through all of the North Shore, right on Lake Michigan, is ablaze.
Gotta go - time to enjoy it!
Posted by: peg | October 20th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Wow. Thanks for sharing the beauty of last year and the still beautiful lackluster of this year. I live in Los Angeles so I just experienced fall vicariously through your photos! Does anyone know how oregon's foilage is this year? My husband and I may be traveling there late next month to celebrate our first anniversary and we were really hoping to see some lovely glowing scenery
Posted by: Julie | October 20th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I have pictures of my Maple tree on my blog The colors in Maine wer beautiful.
Posted by: Alice Goldsmitth | October 20th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
The bright colors of autumn leaves are my favorite and I had no idea extensive rain and chilly weather could create such a difference. Thanks for showing the comparison pictures. #1 and #18 are absolutely gorgeous so I hope you don’t mind if I borrow them for a spell to use on my desk top.
~
We never get too much rain in south Florida and when autumn rolls around, the grass just gets browner but keeps on growing. I still have to mow but not as often so that’s one good thing! If I want to see colored leaves there’s always the craft store, so you can imagine how much I appreciate your blogs. Thanks again! Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 20th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Thank you so much for this post. I live in Battery Park City in Lower Manhattan. The multitude of Linden trees outside my window have dull green, droopy leaves; last year they were bursting with color. I'm glad I took photos then!
Posted by: Judith-Noelle | October 20th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Thanks Martha for those great comparison pics. Here in upstate New York (Rochester) it is pretty similar. Thankfully, some of the largest maples and oaks still show fine color. A recent trip to Letchworth State Park (do you know it?) rewarded us with lovely colors and vistas. I grew up near there and have always loved it.
Posted by: Nicolas Ricketts | October 20th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Thank you Martha for the wonderful photos.I live just outside of Ottawa, Ontario in the beautiful Ottawa Valley. The Gatineau Hills are alive with colour! You would certainly enjoy our area. The maples, oaks and beech trees are putting on a great show.
Thank you again for taking the time to share with us your beautiful surroundings!
Posted by: Lisa Nugent | October 20th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I'm in Ridgefield, CT and have definitely noticed a difference. Some of my favorite autumn drive areas have noticeably less color. Titicus Reservoir was pretty the other day, but for every small patch of beautiful color, there'd be a large area that was yellow/brown or bare. I thought we'd have more color because of the cool weather this summer!
Posted by: Felicia | October 20th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I know you were recently here in Montana. Unfortunately we had a lot of snow in the Bozeman area and VERY cold temperatures about a week ago. It was down near zero for several days and all of the green leaves are now brown, crunchy, and dead. They were just starting to change before the freeze and snow. This will be known as the year WITHOUT a fall. Fall is my favorite season and it is just not right to have no color!
Posted by: Kristin Horgan | October 20th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
here in finland we don't have the usual colorful foliage, but it's been a wet and mild autumn. the nights are getting below freezing so for cars it's time to change to winter tyres... a whole month earlier than last year.
Posted by: liisamarja | October 20th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Up here in Maine the colors aren't as colorful as last year. I thought it may have been only a small area effected, but your photos show the same problems. Too bad all the rain didn't pay off for us New Englanders.
Posted by: Chris | October 20th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Here in Nova Scotia especially my area of the Province which is the South Shore the trees are not as vibrant this year as in the past although there is color it's just not as pretty.I'm thinking the lack of rain late in the summer and early fall may have contributed to this,oh well there's next year to look forward to and better color I hope.
Love your blog Martha and all the pictures.
I am not able to get your show this year on the channels I have and am really missing it.Hoping that maybe I will see reruns in the late winter and spring.
Take care
Leona by the ocean in Nova Scotia.
Posted by: Leona | October 20th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Martha, your pictures are gorgeous, as usual. It was very interesting to see the comparison pictures... great idea. I hope you continue to do the same thing year after year!
Posted by: Kali | October 20th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
It's been such a disappointing spring, summer and fall here in Connecticut! My apple trees, which I planted last fall, struggled all summer. My tomatoes bore the same spots that have plagued everyone here. And now, the changing leaves are nonexistant. Could we please have a break?
On the positive side, I did have an opportunity to learn much about gardening this year. Hopefully that will mean great rewards for my garden in a more prosperous weather year.
Posted by: Sarah Caron | October 20th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Fall is beautiful and mild in Vancouver, BC Canada. The leaves are bright and warmly lit by the sun. My pots are still outside. We had to have the windows open last weekend as it was too warm and stuffy inside. Hopefully it will cool down soon so our snow is ready for our biggest winter ever hosting the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The torch is on it's way from Greece!
Posted by: Natalie | October 20th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Very interesting to see the contrasts.
We did leaf peeping along Route 100 in Vermont and Route 9 in Upstate New York and there seemed to be some vivid colours and then some dullness.
It seemed that Upstate New York showed more brightness - I did my own blog post on it with a video and and more photos and you can almost tell when we are in NY and when we were in VT!
http://blog.jenelle.net/?p=905
Will be interesting to see what happens next year.
Posted by: Jenelle | October 20th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Nice pict.
Here in Denmark (Scandinavia-Europe) we have had the same problem. Black spots and not many colors. Mostly dark-brown.
Posted by: Christian Rathje | October 20th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Autumn here in northern Dutchess County, NY has been void of most foliage, except certain small trees that I don't know the name of which are a very vivid red (might be a kind of maple). Most of the woods surrounding my property are a very dull brown. A fitting ending to a summer absent of tomatoes and lettuce in my garden due to some kind of blight! I hope next year is better for planting!
Posted by: Jess Hippol | October 20th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Martha, Your leaves from this year look like ours from last. We thought we had definitely lost our 100+ year old oak in front of the barn but this year she came back beautiful and her changing leaves look a bit more dynamic this year..thankfully. Autumn in New England or north of NJ are so incredibly beautiful always, it's a shame it is more of a brown turning this year. Even with the black spots, at a distance your Maples are beautiful. - MaLinda
Posted by: MaLinda | October 20th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
The difference is indeed quite shocking. Here in Southern California, we do not have the spectacular change you guys enjoy. However, the few trees that do loose their leaves are gently starting to change color.
Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Sandra (L'esprit Sud Magazine) | October 20th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Here in South Jersey along the shore we are having a very drab autumn as well. We have a huge maple next to our chicken coop that normally turns into a brilliant yellow ball and then slowly starts to drop its leaves. This year the leaves are changing to a dull gold and dropping at the same time. We are also dealing with the insects plaguing most of the Northeast and many trees in our area are now dead. Sad....
Posted by: Tonya Neuweiler | October 20th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Martha -- come to my blog and see the colors in New England this year. I live in western Maine where colors have been spectacular. When I look out of every window at my house I see glorious golds and firey reds. We've spent a lot of time in New Hampshire in the White Mountains taking shots of the foliage and it's been amazing. We moved here from Iowa last year so our first fall in New England has been exquisite.
Posted by: Liz | October 20th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
A very interesting and notable comparison. I am going to watch more closely now from year to year.
Posted by: sherey | October 20th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Here in SE Wisconsin fall is not as pretty as it was last year. Lackluster is the perfect word for it. Many days in the summer were cool, a disappointment. We had the best weather the first three weeks in September, was beautiful. Winter is predicted to be not too much snow but cold.
Posted by: Diane Palen | October 20th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I go to school in Charleston, South Carolina. It seems that the trees never really change color here and that a lot of leaves seem to fall in the Spring instead of Autumn. Why do you think that is?
Posted by: Chessie | October 20th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Here in northwest montana the fall colors aren't happening here either.So disapointing.Thanks for your before and after photos.We thought it was just happening in this area.
Posted by: Linda | October 20th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
I have to admit that Martha Stewart hasn't crossed my mind in some time. But I saw you on Jay Leno and thought you came across quite positively. So, my question is, has Martha changed? Why?
Posted by: kg | October 20th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Hi Martha, These comparison photos are really great. Your 2008 photos were absolutely stunning and so colorful. The 2009 ones look very much like some of the trees in my area. I still have beautiful leaves on my Japanese maple but many of the other deciduous tree look like yours. We've had strange weather, also. Sure hope things change next year. Waiting to see you on Jay Leno's show at 10PM tonight. Hope you are having fun out here on the west coast. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 20th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Same story here in south-eastern Tennessee. Very cool, damp, rainy spring and summer. Our normally beautiful Autumn is rather cold, brown, and lack luster.
Posted by: cindy baugh | October 20th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Still beautiful, but not as happy is it? ; )
Posted by: Adriana | October 21st, 2009 at 2:57 am
My sister and I had a wonderful trip back there the month of October 07. However, fall hadn't arrived...through the whole month of October we searched for the fall colors all over the New England states. There were few. We finally found fall, as we arrived at our home state (Washington) November 3rd, 07.
Thank you for sharing your pictures.
Jean
Posted by: Jean | October 21st, 2009 at 8:57 am
Thank You Martha, for clarifying what is happening this year.
We here in the Blue Ridge Mountains around Asheville, NC are experiencing the same phenomena that you are describing.
I only moved here in December of last year so I was curious as to what was normal as my trip to visit last Oct it was much more vibrant.
Thankfully it is still an incredibly beautiful and nature rich environment to live in.
Posted by: Naomi Scott | October 21st, 2009 at 8:58 am
I noticed lots of acorns this year. I was told by an old timer farmer years ago that this is nature preparing for a rough winter. We'll see I guess. Have you ever heard this??
Nature taking care of it's self to feed the wild.
None the less my favorite time of year.
Posted by: Howie | October 21st, 2009 at 9:56 am
Fall doesn't arrive here in Central Florida until December, when a few of our trees turn gold and red, but if you blink, you'll miss them. Our cypress trees in the swamps turn brown. As a transplanted native of Ohio, I miss the spectacular fall display.
Posted by: toodygoodshoes | October 21st, 2009 at 12:03 pm
What a difference! We had damp and rainy spring, summer and fall in the North Country (Canada) as well. So pictures are the same here. Hoping next summer would bring us more sunshine and warmth:)
Posted by: FashionTouch | October 21st, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Our autumn isn't as colorful as last years, either. But the colors are still beautiful. I love this season and when spring comes again for the many shades of green. Enjoy all your pictures, especially the fog ones. Will be putting some of the autumn ones on my facebook and my blog.
Posted by: Glenda | October 21st, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Great shots! Enjoyed your recent visit to Carlsbad. Can't wait to give away my signed copies of your new cookbook. Thanks Martha! You were so nice and patient with all of us!
Posted by: Virginia Whittaker | October 21st, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Very interesting pics. In Wisconsin, I also thought the colors were lack luster. More importantly I was wondering about the spots on the maples. I think you solved the mystery for me. Thank you. Here's to hoping they are better next year.
Posted by: Becky Atten | October 22nd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I live In Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, that is is northern ontario, on the Michigan border. Our trees some of them changed color early and started to loose their leaves earlier then usual. We had a cold snap then it warmed up, but not much rain, our summer was cold compared to last year. Our red maples are very vibrant this fall.
Posted by: alicia pozzo | October 22nd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Dear Martha, We never have the brilliant colors that are in the north and east but our fall here in north eastern Oklahoma is quite beautiful. We had weekly rains all spring and summer and the nights have cooled down gradualy, so the yellows are out in great numbers!! We also have a sprinkling of reds and of course green through our rolling hills and country side. I love your comparison of this year and last on your farm. Sometimes it is the same here too. I just enjoy the good years.
Love your farm anyway. Sylvia
CMGCLS@cox.net
Posted by: Sylvia | October 22nd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I found this post very interesting and I agree that the fall colors are not what they usually are in Kansas City either. We had a very mild summer with more than usual rain. The silver maple, ash and redbud leaves in our yard are yellowed and brown spotted. I found it interesting that the redbud stems are separating from the leaves and making a big mess in the grass and patio. However, our Japanese Maple trees look brilliant and our Maple trees out front are a firery orange which radiates into house making me think I keep leaving the office light on.
Posted by: ryepye | October 23rd, 2009 at 10:02 am
Fall goes quickly and then winter.
North Dakota Sunrise is gorgeous this morning.
I cut down 3 fir trees that have been in our yard fifty years and shut off view of big sky.
Posted by: ann | October 23rd, 2009 at 10:29 am
I hope you had a great ride yesterday, Kare. I agree. Washington state has had a stunning, long lasting fall. The leaves are very healthy and sturdy. They haven't turned soggy in the recent rain. I plan to go for another ride today, as it will be raining tomorrow. Every weekend, I go I-90 or north on I-5 to Blaine, and find a new country road to investigate. Last weekend, I rediscovered the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, (no leaves, but fascinating). If you plan to do the Cascade loop, take US 2 in the am, and circle back on I-90 (for a safer, smoother drive) in the PM.
Posted by: Jean | October 24th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
The change there seems to be dramatic hope it returns soon to it's former glory. Here in Australia Victoria after a long period with little rain we are now getting a good downfall at long last and the gardens are looking beautiful this Spring.
Posted by: Patricia | October 24th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
In tidewater Virginia, we're reaching our peak color right now. We never get as much color as folks up in the northeast, but it seems like it's shaping up to be a pretty good year.
Posted by: how it grows | October 25th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Hi Martha,
I really loved your investigation on the foliage now versus then. Let me tell you a little bit about Oregon!
On the University of Oregon campus,
this season may be the dampest.
The maples look like flames of fire,
but on a fire about to retire...
Some oaks still maintain a bit of yellow,
however, this year more so like a balding fellow.
And the willow weeps for no good reason,
for she is the greenest at this point in the season.
:\
Adrianne Degn
Eugene, Oregon
Posted by: Adrianne | October 26th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Hi Martha, I enjoyed your comparison of Fall 2008 to Fall 2009. We, here in Georgia, have had a wet Spring, Summer and Fall. I wondered why our Fall colors were so drab, now I understand. We have had serious drought conditions over the last three years and the rain was welcomed. However, we have gone from drought to flooding. Lake Lanier in north Georgia was at record low pool last year and not expected to reach full pool for five years. However, Summer and Fall rains have been substantial and the result is full pool at the lake and all other lakes in Georgia. Enjoying your FB site. Sharlene
Posted by: Sharlene Hamby | October 28th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Hi Martha. Here in Northern California the fall colors have been amazing. We have it all; beautiful yellows, oranges, and reds that looked like your 2008 pictures. I've never even heard of your leaf disease...probably too dry here for that.
Posted by: Susan | November 18th, 2009 at 2:26 am