Peak Fall Color Arriving Soon

Central Indiana is nearing peak autumn foliage, a topic addressed by Pat Sullivan, Terri Stacy, and Denny Smith on the 93.1 WIBC Home & Garden Show.

The hosts answered a quiz regarding the biological triggers for leaf color change. Shorter daylight hours cause trees to stop producing green chlorophyll. This process allows existing yellow and orange pigments to become visible, according to SUNY ESF data.

Sunny days combined with cool, non-freezing nights produce the most brilliant colors. Denny Smith flew over the region the day before the broadcast and reported that red maples are currently vibrant. He noted that other trees have been slow to change, with many turning brown and dropping leaves early.

Sullivan advised listeners on lawn care, stating that leaving fallen leaves on grass is not always harmful. He recommended mowing the leaves in using a north-south and east-west pattern to chop them up. Whole leaves that mat down can damage the turf, but mulched leaves are generally fine.

The group discussed which tree species shed needles in autumn. They identified the bald cypress as the correct answer. One host described a neighbor’s three-story bald cypress as the most beautiful tree they had ever seen. The crew noted that while these trees are hardy once established, they require consistent moisture in their early years.