Fall officially began Tuesday night with chilly temperatures to match. Leaves throughout Maryland remain green with hints of change and emerging colors in parts of the state.
The fall foliage outlook for 2026 is expected to be average across the State of Maryland, according to Southern Region Regional Forester Mark Muir. It will begin first in the westernmost part of the state and progress across the state to the Eastern Shore and southern Maryland.
“Weather has the biggest effect on foliage color and timing. Temperatures have been warmer than average this year with little rainfall in the summer months, and near normal or above rainfall in the spring and end of summer,” Muir said. “Temperature effects when the leaves begin to change, with a warmer than average start to fall which will push the timing of peak colors back slightly.”
The dryer months can create stress on trees, leading to muted or duller colors and earlier leaf drop. To achieve the best colors the ideal weather conditions are normal rainfall and periodic cold fronts. The chilly fall nights trigger deep color transitions and slow color change rather than a sudden uniform peak.
From now into November, Department of Natural Resources staff will provide weekly fall foliage reports to keep the public updated on Maryland’s autumn scene – both the changing colors in each region and fall festivities throughout the state.
Foliage Reports
Western Region
Forester Melissa Nash, Garrett County
Not much happening yet, but with cooler temperatures and some moisture in the forecast for the next week, I expect things to start changing very soon. Also keep an eye out for fall wildflowers. Several species of asters can be found in Maryland and are important late season food for pollinators. They add pops of white and purple to the fall scene.
Forester Aaron Cook, Washington County
Trees remain rather green. A few hints of color have appeared in individual blackgum and black walnut trees. The fall wildflowers are full of wonderful color.
Goldenrod and aster are in full bloom, supporting local pollinators while carrying out their seasonal show of color. Cooler temperatures and some much needed precipitation this week should begin to nudge trees to begin changing into their fall colors.
Watershed Forester Bob Schwartz, Washington County
The last of our summer blooming wildflowers are out, heralding the end of summer and the start of autumn. Meanwhile, fall bloomers like asters or goldenrods are starting and warm-season grass blooms are adding an ethereal quality to the landscape. Many asters, like New England aster, have a range of bloom colors that vary based on their genetics. When you collect and sow diverse seed, or purchase quality seed from a conservation seed company, you will get inherently diverse plants as a result. While it can seem as inconsequential (though magical) as causing plants to have differing fall colors, that genetic diversity also makes them more able to adapt to climate change over time, as well.
Forester Dakota Durcho, Frederick County (Gambrill State Park)
So far there hasn’t been much color change, with most trees remaining green. The few species that have begun to change are the blackgum, black walnut, and flowering dogwoods. As temperatures continue to drop, we should start to see more trees begin to transition and change over the next few weeks.
Central Region
Ranger Lesley Leader, Cecil County
Still very green here, with some color showing in the sycamores and dogwoods, while the walnuts have started to drop their leaves and look rather spindly. The purple top grasses lend a wonderful misty quality to the hills at Fair Hill NRMA.
Eastern Region
Forester Rachel Egolf, Somerset County
Somerset County leaves are still green and soaking up as much moisture as they can after the dry summer. The nor’easter this week has brought more rain our way and blown a few of fall’s first leaves on the roads and trails.
The walnuts are always the first to show fruit peaking out from under yellowing leaves. Blackgums have a bit of red leaves here and there. A few yellow sweetgum leaves have started falling.
Ranger Joanna Trojanowski, Dorchester County (Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park)
Overall foliage is still very green with small color changes for individual trees here and there.
Forester Ian McGovern, Worcester County
It is still very much green here in Worcester County this time of year, with only a few hints of color appearing on a select few Sweetgums and Blackgums. The true fall splendor of rusty cypress trees and red gum leaves are still a few weeks away on the Pocomoke. And hopefully our Loblolly Pines in the less swampy areas will be staying green for the foreseeable future.
Squirrel-Coded: Collect Seeds for State Nursery
The John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery in Preston is looking for help! The facility grows 3 million bare root trees annually. Seedlings support the state’s 5 Million Tree Program.
You can get involved right from your backyard by helping us collect seeds! By contributing seeds you are saving the Maryland Forest Service time and money. See below for a list of our target species and minimum collection amounts, as well as contacts for your local donation site – please call ahead to arrange drop-off.
There is no need to process your seeds by removing the pulp – we will handle that!
Wondering where to start? Check out a great booklet detailing our top species, available online.
Looking to volunteer at the nursery? We are just starting to collect hazelnut and indigo bush, with other species soon to follow. We also need help with our annual tree inventory, with weeding, and with watering baby trees during times of drought. If you are local or would like to visit our site in Caroline County, please reach out to Haley Rhodes directly at haley.rhodes@maryland.gov
Species Minimum amount needed to process Serviceberry 2 gallons Redbud 5 gallons Flowering Dogwood 2 gallon Red Osier Dogwood 2 gallons Spicebush 2 gallons American Plum 5 gallons Pawpaw 5 gallons White Oak 5 gallons Chestnut Oak 5 gallons N. Red Oak 5 gallons Winterberry 2 gallons Silky dogwood 2 gallons Witch-Hazel 2 gallons Red Chokeberry 2 gallons Black Chokeberry 2 gallons Hazel Alder 1 gallon Ninebark 1 gallon
Local contacts:
Theodore Hoxie: Garrett and Allegany
theodore.hoxie@maryland.gov
443-223-8747
Anna Twigg: Western
anna.twigg@maryland.gov
240-910-6740
Dylan Orr: Howard, Montgomery, and Carroll
dylan.orr@maryland.gov
240-791-0559
Kaitlyn Paulchell: Baltimore, Harford, and Cecil
kaitlyn.paulchell@maryland.gov
443-221-9979
Alfred Bascom: Southern
alfred.bascom@maryland.gov
443-758-7775
Delaney Curran: Frederick, Washington
delaney.curran1@maryland.gov
443-758-3231
Greg Geesaman (Lower Shore)
gregory.geesaman@maryland.gov
443.924.4084
Shaun Creasey (Upper Shore)
shaun.creasey@maryland.gov
(443) 205-3132
Francis Smith (for seed questions)
francis.smith@maryland.gov
(410) 260-8516
Happenings
Helmets and Harvest
Check out the Helmets and Harvest AgriTrail, which celebrates our states bike trails and agritourism businesses! Pick a region to explore, then check in at designated bike paths and businesses to earn points toward autumnal swag – 10 points for a sticker, 15 points for a water bottle, and 20 points for a knit beanie!
More information and links to sign up are available on the Maryland’s Best website.
Full Moon Hike at New Germany State Park
Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Lake House
403 McAndrews Hill Road, Grantsville
Embrace the beauty of the forest under a full moon on this 1-mile hike with Ranger Noah. This “Harvest Moon” will be the first full moon of autumn. Please bring a flashlight or headlamp.
Fall Festival at Friends Store
Sang Run State Park
Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pumpkins to harvest and carve, scarecrow making, apple pressing, Hayrides, dutch oven cooking and much much more. Find more information on the Friends of Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center website.
National Public Lands Day
Sept. 26 from 9-11 a.m.
Tuckahoe State Park
13187 Crouse Mill Road, Queen Anne
Give back by providing care to the tree tubes around our young saplings, then unwind with a guided aviary tour. Bring gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, water and sturdy shoes. Aviary tour begins at noon at 12282 Eveland Road in Ridgely. For more information contact Ranger Robbie at Robert.Wullschleger@maryland.gov.
