Foliage Reports: September 14, 2005
Maine's trees work together to create a colorful fall forest
AUGUSTA, Maine
With the official start of fall still a week away, some of Maine's leaf-bearing trees have begun to change color according to the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) first 2005 foliage report.
Statewide, forest and park rangers are reporting very low leaf color, or less than 10 percent toward peak. Rangers are also observing a very healthy tree canopy in each of the state’s seven foliage tracking zones. Leaves in some high elevations in northern Maine are showing the first signs of transformation.
"I'm seeing some shades of yellow on beech, birch and maples in the ridge top," said Forest Ranger Joe Mints in the Aroostook County town of Masardis. "I've also spotted swamp maples that have begun to show some color."
With 17 million acres of forest, there will be many hues of yellow, orange, red and purple to view during the next five weeks. Maine is home to 52 native hardwood (leaf-producing) trees and 14 native softwood (cone-bearing) trees which maintain a green color throughout the year. The combination of vibrant foliage on a backdrop of fir and pine trees draws leaf peepers from near and far.
To provide the most accurate foliage information, DOC rangers will report conditions statewide every Wednesday through Oct. 12. The site is a great place to start planning for a fall foliage trip, learn more about Maine’s trees and how they change color, or interact with other foliage fanatics.
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
Week of September 14, 2004
| 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
