This summer's drought has folks a little worried about Vermont's iconic fall foliage. Drought conditions can cause the color change to accelerate and leaves to turn brown more quickly.
However, VTDigger explains why that might not be the case this year. When trees get stressed out -- which can happen in drought conditions, as the weather gets colder, or when they're being chomped on by mass amounts of caterpillars -- they create a protective compound which also results in additional pigments.
"If dry conditions are minimal enough, causing just enough additional stress to the tree, the dryness can amplify the production of these protective compounds, making this year’s leaves pop with even more color."
Given the weather so far this year, most of Vermont looks to be in the clear. The exception is southern Vermont, which is currently categorized as moderately or severely dry. This could lead to muted leaves that drop earlier. Learn more about the factors affecting this year's foliage: http://ow.ly/R3hp50KJOng
Original source can be found here.
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