WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Fall Foliage: Williston

Williston, Vermont - October 11, 2011

So far this season, foliage seekers have been frustrated; not finding the great vistas of brilliant color that we crave. The extended cloudy and rainy spell, and lack of traditional frosty mornings has played a role in the lack of effort some of our trees seem to be putting out for this year's show.

Early in the season, those of us in the Burlington area like to head for the Northeast Kingdom and higher elevations of Vermont for the fall spectacular. But this year, many of the leaves in those areas fell before they had a chance to produce much color. But right in the WCAX parking lot we found what we're looking for! Could it be this will be the year when our friends in the NEK and Central Vermont want to come to visit us to see some bright fall color? If you have missed out on the brightest of the fall color, that may be the case!

"Part of what induces a tree to turn red, the red pigment in the fall, is low temperatures. Low temperatures in general, but especially frosts at night and sunny days right after. And we haven't had a lot of those," said Paul Schaberg, a USDA Forest Service Research Plant Physiologist.

There have been some areas of color in the past couple of weeks, but this has been a year where you've had to hunt for those brighter areas. Some spots have seen particularly drab foliage, which could be the result of a fungal problem.

This late in the season, the Champlain Valley and southern parts of Vermont are the areas that still have the most leaves on their trees. And the timing of the cold snap last week means we have the best chance for the brightest colors this year.

So, now Chittenden County is the place to explore. Photographer Robynn Beams and I took the back roads from South Burlington, through Williston and into Richmond. It couldn't be more spectacular. It turns out we don't have to drive for miles and miles to see the vistas, the mountainscapes, the animals, and the brilliant fall colors. It's all just outside Burlington. You could even do it on your lunch hour. You might be just a little bit late if you stop a lot to take pictures.

"Well this road just kind of went 'poof!' At once! In the last week! I think the frost brought the bright color back out again," said Joyce Austin and Rita Ryan of Williston.

While there are a few trees that aren't performing up to their usual standards, most are dazzling, especially under the bright autumn sun. So if you are in an area where you've missed out on the brightest colors a Vermont fall usually has to offer, come on over to Chittenden County! Apparently, this year, it's our turn!