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Foliage Information
Foliage Report for September 24, 2008
Autumn Arrives and Maine’s Foliage Color Spreads South
AUGUSTA, Maine – Right on cue, Maine’s fall foliage has had a burst of emerging color according to the Department of Conservation’s third foliage report of the season.
Forest rangers in far northern Maine are now observing high leaf color between 50 and 75 percent toward peak in western Aroostook County (Zone 6) and the northern portions of Somerset and Piscataquis County (Zone 6). Moderate leaf color between 30 and 50 percent toward peak is being reported by rangers in eastern and southern Aroostook County (Zone 7), northern Penobscot County (Zone 5), and locations north of Rangeley in Franklin County (Zone 5).Hard frosts during the past week and a stretch of sunny days have weakened leaves and allowed more of their hidden colors to show. The cold evening temperatures have not damaged the foliage as every region of the state still has very low leaf drop.
Foliage in northern Washington County (southern Zone 4) is now low, or 10 to 30 percent toward peak. Low color is also being reported in the southern part of the county (Zone 2), and in Hancock (Zone 2), Kennebec (Zone 3), Androscoggin (Zone 3) and southern Penobscot (Zone 3) counties.
Leaf color along Maine’s coastline (Zone 1) from Kittery to Belfast is currently very low, or less than 10 percent toward peak.
The Fish River Scenic Byway along Route 11 in Aroostook County will have great color for a weekend drive, and it’s the perfect time to hike or fish at Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle.
Baxter State Park, the lakes between the park and the town of Millinocket, and the Moosehead Lake region are also best bets for leaf peepers during the next week. The northern portion of the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway in Somerset County is another touring route with good color.
To provide the most accurate foliage information, DOC rangers will report conditions statewide every Wednesday through Oct. 15. Learn more about Maine's fall touring routes and outdoor activities at www.visitmaine.com.
Press contact: Kevin Gove, Nancy Marshall Communications, Email: kgove@marshallpr.com, Phone: (207) 623-4177.
Current Conditions - The Foliage Conditions map on this page is the foliage zone map used by Maine Forest Service Rangers when reporting fall foliage conditions.
| Zone Number | Color Change | Leaf Drop |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Moderate | Very Low |
| 6 | High | Very Low |
| 5 (North) | High | Very Low |
| 5 (South) | Moderate | Very Low |
| 4 (North) | Moderate | Very Low |
| 4 (South) | Low | Very Low |
| 3 | Low | Very Low |
| 2 | Low | Very Low |
| 1 | Very Low | Very Low |
Foliage Zones
Zone 7: Northeastern Maine, including Fort Kent, Caribou, and Presque Isle
Zone 6: Northwestern Maine
Zone 5: Western Mid-Maine, including Greenville, Rangeley, Bethel
Zone 4: Eastern Mid-Maine, including Houlton, Millinocket, and Calais
Zone 3: Central and Southwestern Maine, including Bangor, Augusta, and Fryeburg
Zone 2: DowneastMaine, including Machias, Bar Harbor, and Penobscot Bay
Zone 1: Mid-Coast and South Coastal Maine, including Camden, Portland, Kennebunkport, and Kittery
