Fall is a beautiful time in the mountains. If you’ve looked around lately, the leaves are beginning to fall. The cooler temperatures and shorter day lengths have triggered many of our trees into a fall color pattern. First to turn are the sourwood and black gum trees. Sourwood trees turn a darker red color as early as late July and August. The sprays of white blooms provide delicious honey, and a colorful display in the landscape.
Sourwood trees are gaining popularity with landscapers across the region. Sourwoods provide a great option for homeowners seeking a durable tree with few pests that grows relatively fast, blooms and provides nice fall color. Soon after the sourwoods begin changing we begin seeing the brilliant red of the black gum leaves. Black gum trees and persimmon often get mistaken for one another. If you’re trying to distinguish the two, look at the buds. Black gum will have brown/green buds that are rather large and rounded. Common persimmon will have small, flat, triangular shaped buds.
If this kind of information is interesting you might be a good candidate for a dendrology class at North Georgia Technical College with Kevin Peyton. We also have some tree identification resources here at the Extension Office for use with our 4-H Forestry Judging team. Few folks realize the great diversity of trees we have in our area. We are truly blessed with a wide array of trees and shrubs.
Over the next few weeks we’ll see the poplars and maples turn, followed by the oaks and hickories. Fall color is typically best when we have sufficient rainfall to enable the trees to hold onto their leaves. So far, things are looking good this year. We’ll need a nice period of mild, dry weather to kept the leaves at their peak. Barring a big cold snap, we should be able to enjoy the vibrant colors over the next month.
About the Author
Steven Patrick is the UGA Extension Agent for the Northeast District. His office is located in Habersham County.
