Welcome to the 2024 fall color report. Look for a report in your email box each week through the last week of October.
Many factors affect how “brilliant” our fall colors will be each year. Stress, like lack of rain this August and September, often brightens fall colors. But with our unpredictable weather, warm evenings or an early frost can cause leaves to be duller. The brightest displays of color occur when we have an early fall of bright sunny days and cool nights.
Virginia creeper and sumac are turning crimson in northeast Iowa. Cottonwood, elm, ash, walnut, hackberry and basswood are turning yellow. A few scattered sugar maples are starting to turn orange.
Walnut, ash, elms and hackberry have started turning yellow in north central and northwest Iowa. Some hard maple has turned orangish.
Fall colors are slow to start in central Iowa. Some yellows are appearing in walnut, ash and elms. A few maples in town have turned red or orange. Woodbine are turning crimson.
It’s early in the season in southeast Iowa. Some yellows and browns are starting to show across the forested landscape. Virginia creeper and poison ivy are red.
Native grasses are turning reddish in southwest Iowa, creating a pretty contrast in the Loess Hills. Sumac are not turning yet, but dogwoods are at full color. Cottonwoods, walnuts and ash are starting to turn yellow. Plums are mostly done with their color/leaves.
Autumn brings a welcoming crispness to the air. Fun abounds statewide for those in search of color and good times outdoors.
From fall festivals to apple orchards, Iowa has many fall activities to celebrate local traditions and create memories with your family. Start planning your autumn excursions today with these great resources:
Iowa DNR, through a partnership with the USDA Forest Service, is offering large shade trees, low-growing ornamental and fruit trees, and evergreen tree species at discounted prices.
All Iowa residents can purchase up to two trees to be picked up at the following locations:
