Nature lovers can anticipate fall colors to hit St. Joseph soon
By Kyle Schmidt
St. Joseph is going to get a little more colorful as it settles into fall, and residents can expect the season to be in full force in the coming weeks.
Forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation Timothy Wolfe spoke about the conditions needed in order to achieve sharp fall color.
“We haven’t really hit that major cool area,” Wolfe said. “We need that dry cool, dormant style fall to get those really vibrant colors.”
Looking in the area of Hyde Park, it is mixed with walnut trees, oak trees and a few spruce trees as well.
Walnut and oak trees are deciduous trees and will eventually shed leaves. These leaves will change color before falling to the ground. Despite both being deciduous trees, walnut trees will turn color faster while oaks will change later in the season.
“The oaks are going to start probably three to four weeks later,” Wolfe said. “They shut down later in the season because they are trying to absorb as much energy as they can for winter storage essentially.”
As for the spruce trees, they are the opposite. Come wintertime, the pines will still be on the trees because they are coniferous trees. To enjoy the changes, Wolfe gives insight on the best timing for it.
“Color generally is going to start around that Oct. 20 as you get the first frost,” Wolfe said. “That area, that major first frost going into the winter time.”
The fall season isn’t just appealing to the eyes, either. As the leaves fall from the trees and land on the ground, they eventually die out. Through this process, they become harder and create a crunchy noise when stepped on. This means many park-goers and bikers will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of autumn throughout the next few months.
Outside of the local parks in St. Joseph, Wolfe has other suggestions as well.
“Places people can go is up 59 north or up K and T highway up towards Amazonia, that area is going to be along the bluff line, you’re going to be able to see really vibrant colors down on the river bottoms,” Wolfe said. “Or you can head south towards Kansas City on 59 along the bluff line. Pretty much along the river bottom of the bluff line you are going to see really great colors.”
