Shorter days and cooler nights start a precise clockwork of physical and chemical interactions within leaf cells bringing forests ablaze with color as they prepare for winter dormancy. In response to certain environmental stimuli, leaf pigments begin to reveal themselves in the leaves of Georgia’s deciduous trees. The amount of pigments in trees depends on the tree species, soil composition, and other environmental components.

Cooler nights, sunny days, and adequate rainfall are signaling the beginning of the fall foliage season. Trees are on track to display vivid changes in color over the next four weeks.

Learn about how leaves change colors in the fall with Chelsea York, our Conservation Education Coordinator.

The past week has been cool and sunny with a little rain, allowing many of the trees to slowly progress with color change. Areas with high concentrations of blackgum and sourwood are currently showing the most vivid colors providing differing shades of red and orange. Sassafras is also beginning to show a variety of colors including yellow, orange and red. 

The Firefighter Property (FFP) Program refers to excess Department of Defense (DoD) property that is suitable for use in providing fire and emergency services.   The FFP Program began in 2005; Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) began participating in 2012.  The US Department of Defense (DoD) allows USFS to manage excess DoD Firefighting property transfers.  USFS works in cooperation with the State agency responsible for wildland and rural firefighting to ensure authorized and qualified firefighting entities are Users/Recipients of the property.