Color at the peak of this year’s leaf-peeping season was sparse.
There is science behind the magic that is the fleeting blast of autumn color. This year’s warm, wet weather did not provide the conditions needed for bright leaf colors to emerge.
From the spot where Chris Nicholas, district manager for Susquehannock Forest District 15, is stationed in Potter County, the leaves are all but gone, washed away by the rain.
Nicholas explained the peak of the season in the area of Denton Hill, Kane and Mount Jewett happens usually on the first full weekend in October, “almost like clockwork.” This year, that weekend would have been this past weekend.
But we may see some color yet.
“The only glimmer of hope” for color this year, according to Nicholas, is when the oak trees change.
Areas in the region of oak trees include the eastern side of the Kinzua Reservoir, and the southern and southeastern part of Potter County.
“Those leaves are still pretty much green,” he said.
Sugar maples turn into oranges and yellows, and red maples turn into reds.
He guesses there will be an even better chance of color south of Susquehannock State Forest in Elk, Cameron and Clinton counties, which have even more oak trees.
“That’s Mother Nature: You can’t predict her,” he said. “Next year might be phenomenal,” but leaf-peepers will have to wait and see.
Even in its less colorful years, the rich forests of northern Pennsylvania still provide beauty — beauty that exists due to the efforts of the many who work to keep the forest safe from development. Key to keeping the forests is to making them as useful as possible.
The Susquehannock State Forest is a living example of a working forest, which benefits the region in many ways, including economic benefits, such as through the timber industry, and social benefits.
“Working forests stay forests,” Nicholas said.
This is in contrast to other areas of the state, where forest land has been lost to other development.
“The quality of life is improved by having forests,” he said.
As forest district manager, Nicholas is responsible for 265,000 acres of forest, primarily in Potter County. In addition to maintaining the working forest that is Susquehannock, the district provides private landowner assistance and wildfire suppression to McKean and Potter counties.
