Latest state of Maine fall foliage report

photo on Causeway Road by Eric Austin, of China

Maine’s leaf-bearing trees will show off their brilliant colors of yellow, orange and red in the upcoming weeks. The 2019 Fall Foliage Report from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry reports 40-percent color change in the forest. Northern Maine is reporting moderate conditions, 50-percent color change and 30-percent leaf drop.

Typically, northern Maine (zones 6 and 7) reaches peak conditions the last week of September into the first week of October. The rest of the states progression of color will start occurring from north to south in mid-October. Coastal Maine typically reaches peak conditions mid-to-late October.

“That fall feeling is in the air, and now that our weather is moving toward a more seasonal trend, its the most wonderful time of the year to be in Maine,” according to Gale Ross, Maines fall foliage spokesperson. Whether near or far, leaf-loving enthusiasts really get pumped up during the fall foliage season. A Facebook fan from Texas commented that she thought the photos we’ve posted on Facebook and the foliage web page were photoshopped until she made her first visit to Maine. Needless to say, shes coming back again this year, Ross added.

For a laid-back leaf-peeping route, wind through Maines Kennebec Valley along the 78-mile Old Canada Road Scenic Byway. Begin in Solon and make your way to the Canadian border. Dont miss a perfect picnic stop at Robbins Hill for panoramic views of the valley, and in The Forks, stop at the Moxie Falls Scenic Area. Enjoy a two-mile hike to one of the states highest waterfalls with a 92-foot vertical drop. Adventure seekers can still feel the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Kennebec River, a great way to experience fall foliage from the For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.

The fall foliage colors in central Maine are rated as low at this time.