Casey Burdick, the fall color forester for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, says mid- to late
October is generally prime leaf-peeping season in the state.

"We’re pretty much on time," Burdick said last week.

Trees at the edge of woodlands and along roadways are the most colorful right now because of their
exposure to the elements, including sunshine, Burdick said.

The best recipe for vibrant fall colors are sunny days and cold but not freezing nights, according to
Burdick.

Bountiful sunshine helps maple trees trap extra sugar inside their leaves, producing eye-pleasing shades
of bright red and orange. The breakdown of the sugars produced by chlorophyll otherwise change leaves to
their default color of yellow in autumn. Leaves from sycamore and poplar trees always turn yellow, she
said.

Ohio enjoys colorful fall foliage because of the state’s variety of deciduous trees — species that shed
their leaves.

"We’re pretty lucky in that area," Burdick said.

Leaves on deciduous trees change color and scatter to the whims of wind and weather as cellular activity
declines within trees and they go into their own form of hibernation.

"The tree is pretty much done producing the food it needs for the year," Burdick said.
"The sugar is being stored within the tree and root system to prepare itself for winter."