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| The Colors of Fall |
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Peak color season in Bemidji usually runs from the third week in September
through the first week in October. It is during this two-to-three week period that the
fall colors in Bemidji's forests are at their brilliant best.
However, different species of trees will change color and "peak" during
various times of the fall color season.
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Bemidji
Area Leaves
October 4, 2007
Big Bog State Park -Waskish - 40 minutes north of Bemidji
Peak fall color has arrived. The ash and balsam poplar trees are
now golden yellow, and a wonderful contrast to the dark greens of the
black spruce. The walk along the bog boardwalk is very colorful due to
the sphagnum mosses, shrubs and forbes having turned various shades of
orange, red and yellow. The Old Caribou Camp Trail in the North Unit
of the Park is also excellent for fall color viewing. Large numbers of
songbirds are migrating through the park. Although the
park is at its peak, the bog boardwalk area will not reach peak for
another week or so.
Itasca State Park -30 Minutes south of Bemidji
The oak and aspen are now at peak, roughly one to one and one-half
weeks early! The big tooth and trembling aspen are turning lovely
shades of gold, with hints of peach in some trees. The red oaks have
developed more burnt brown and red tones this year. Overall, the
landscape is stunning shades of yellow, brown and burnt red. The
maples, birch, basswood, ash and balsam poplar are past peak, with
many trees now bare. The best views of the tall overstory aspens and
oaks are from any vista, lake or pond. The South Entrance offers
gorgeous views overlooking Josephine, Arco and Mary lakes. Also check
out the vistas along Itasca, Ozawindib and Elk lakes. If the winds
subside, good fall color should linger through the weekend.
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Plan a Fall Color Tour! |
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American Elm
A large, handsome, graceful tree. Elm leaves 3-6" long and 1-3" wide;
turning yellow, in the mid-season. |
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Pin Cherry
The tiny, sour cherries are used to make jelly and provide food for birds and animals.
Leaves 2 1/2-4 1/2" long and 3/4-1 1/4" wide; turning bright yellow or
red early in the season. Fruit matures in summer. |
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Green Ash
Bats and other sporting goods are made from this tough, fine grained, elastic wood.
Ash leaves turn gold or yellow early in the |
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Paper Birch
The bark is used to make lightweight canoes. The wood is used for toothpicks and
spools. Leaves are oval and long-pointed, turning vivid yellow mid-fall. |
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Sugar Maple
spring is the season for tapping sugar maples, used to make candies and syrup.
Leaves 3 1/2-5 1/2" long and as wide, with 5 sharp lobes. Foliage turns deep
red, orange and yellow mid-fall. |
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Staghorn Sumac
These thick shrubs or small trees are recognized by the hairy twigs and leaves which are
almost white underneath. Leaflets are 2-5" long and turn scarlet in fall. |
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Bur Oak
Recognized by its distinctive fringed, burlike acorns. Leaves narrowly oval with
broad, round tips. Turns yellow-brown during mid-fall. |
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Black Ash
Common in swamps and moist soils, the wood is heavy, brown and tough. Leaves are
12-16" long, with 7 to 13 oblong leaflets. Leaflets are 4-6" long, 1 1/2
wide and turn gold and yellow early in fall. |
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American Basswood
Basswoods, also called linden trees, are often favored as shade trees. Leaves
3-6" long, and nearly as wide, are rounded or heart shaped; turning pale yellow or
brown in mid-color season. |
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Choke Cherry
While the dark red, astringent fruits are unpalatable when ripe, birds do eat them.
Leaves change early in season to yellow red. |
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Slippery Elm
The "slippery" layer of bark is edible. When dried and moistened, the bark
can be used as a cough medicine or poultice. Leaves 4-7: long, turning dull yellow in
fall. |
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Quaking Aspen
Known in France as the "woman's tongue," an allusion to the incessant movement
of the leaves. 1 1/2-3" long, the leaves produce the brilliant yellow and gold
tones seen late in the season. |
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Black Cherry
The wood is used in furniture and cabinetry, the bark and fruit for cough syrup, wine and
jelly. Leaves are 2-5" long and turn brilliant red and yellow. |
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Red Maple
Leaves 2 1/2-4" long and about as wide, with 3 shallow lobes. A brilliant
display of color is seen in the mid-fall season when the leaves turn fiery scarlet, orange
or yellow. |
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Red Oak
An important timber species used to make furniture, floors, pulpwood, fence posts and
pilings. Leaves 4-9" long and 3-6" wide. Turn brown-red shades in
mid-color season. |
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