The latest fall colors report has been issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 

As of this week, coffee trees are starting to turn yellow, as are walnut, cottonwood, and silver maple trees. Some of those trees are also starting to lose their leaves. Drought stressed maples are changing color, especially in urban areas. State Climatologist Justin Glisan says that the ongoing drought is diminishing the soil profile which will make for a shorter viewing season.

“When you start to expend all the moisture in the profile, that stresses trees. So, when trees are stressed, they’re more apt to turn those leaves on trees from green to those lovely colors that we like to see during fall. But that also does close off the longevity of what we call the leaf keeping season. So with drought and these warmer temperatures, coupled with the potential for colder temperatures behind this ridge, we could see foliage development rapidly, but also those leaves drop off the trees rapidly as well.”

Peak fall colors viewing season is expected to take place October 16th through the 20th.