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Foliage Reports: September 21, 2005
Weather cooperating for an explosion of foliage color in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine - September 21, 2005
The Maine Department of Conservation’s (DOC) second 2005 fall foliage report reveals little color change around the state, but cooler temperatures expected to arrive with the first day of fall could mean a lot less green on the trees very soon.
Foliage has begun to turn in the northern reaches of the tracking zones covering Aroostook, Piscataquis, Franklin and Somerset counties, but statewide, forest and park rangers are reporting very low leaf color, or less than 10 percent toward peak. When the transformation speeds up, there will be plenty of color to see as all tracking zones are reporting leaf drop of 10 percent or less.
Right on cue with the start of fall Thursday, temperatures throughout the state are forecast to drop into the low 60s to mid 50s during the day and fall to the mid 30s in some locations during the evening. Cooler overnight temperatures combined with shortened days slows the production of chlorophyll and diminishes the green pigment in leaves making way for shades of yellow, orange and red.
The Millinocket area is one good bet for a trip to view early season color this weekend. Rangers near Baxter State Park have reported vibrant color in the tree tops within the park and in surrounding towns. The Farmington Fair (ending Saturday) in Franklin County and the Common Ground Fair (Friday through Sunday) in the Kennebec County town of Unity are destinations that may yield changing foliage along the way.
To provide the most accurate foliage information, DOC rangers will report conditions statewide every Wednesday through Oct. 12. Updated reports and information can also be obtained by calling the Maine foliage hotline at 1-888-MAINE-45. 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. See Also: Description of Zones
| Zone Number | Color Change | Leaf Drop |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Very Low | Very Low |
| 6 | Very Low | Very Low |
| 5 | Very Low | Very Low |
| 4 | Very Low | Very Low |
| 3 | Very Low | Very Low |
| 2 | Very 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