Ah, the joys of travel. Sometimes it’s the language (or the accent it’s spoken in) that tells you that you’re far away from home. Sometimes it’s the architecture enveloping you in history and culture. And other times, it just might be the trees. If you’re traveling during the autumn months in the U.S., parts of Canada, Europe and Eastern Asia, it’s a delightful time to look up and appreciate the changing of the leaves. In naturally ornamental forests, “leaf peeping,” as they call the touring of the fall foliage, is a treasured annual pastime. Here are some of the best places—from your back yard to the other side of the globe—that are prime viewing spots when autumn is ablaze.
What exactly happens when fall foliage arrives? The leaves of deciduous trees—ones that shed their leaves seasonally—greened from chlorophyll pigment begin to change to shades of yellow and orange when the weather turns cooler. Chlorophyll is sensitive to cold so the trees stop producing it, causing other yellow and orange carotenoids pigments (plentiful in carrots) to shine through. That’s the part scientists know well. But what makes the fiery red colors is trickier. Those hues come from anthocyanin pigments that act as sunscreen as well as a kind of antifreeze that keeps leaves from freezing in cold weather. Some scientists say that the red colors ward off pests that munch on appetizing yellow-colored leaves. It’s this theory used to explain why fall foliage in North America and East Asia skews red while autumn leaves in Europe turn mostly yellow.
North American and East Asian vs. European Fall Foliage
According to the theory, over 35 million years ago, a series of ice ages and dry spells caused trees in evergreen jungles or tropical forests to become deciduous. Through the evolutionary process, they began producing red deciduous leaves to repel insects. In North America and East Asia, north-to-south mountain chains helped plant and animal migration up or down with the flux of the ice during major climate change. And, of course, along with them went their enemy insect. So the war for survival continued there uninterrupted. But in Europe, where the Alps reach from east to west, no protected areas were created. Tree species that didn’t survive the severe cold died, and so did their parasite insects. At the end of the cyclical ice ages, whatever tree species did make it was free from the now extinct insects, and so no longer had produce red warning leaves.
Fall Foliage Peaks Around the World
Now that you know why autumn colors may vary East to West, here are some places to ponder when choosing your fall tour:
Japan is famous for its spectacular display of cherry blossoms in the spring, but from late September (and from mid-November to early December in Kyoto) the foliage on those and other deciduous trees turns vivid shades of red, orange and yellow. You can see them lit up at temples and parks around the country, for a contrasting view of the foliage by night.
Québec is well known for its autumn colors thanks to the sugar maple trees, provincial yellow birch and the American beech. Leaf peeping begins the end of September and continues through mid- to late-October in lower elevations and more southern locations.
New York doesn’t draw the same crowd as New England. But there is decent season for fall foliage. The peak time in New York City is typically mid-October through early November. And Central Park, with its 24,000 trees, is a perfect place for viewing.
Europe has many options for leaf peeping in the fall. While not as spectacular as Japan and Eastern Canada, you can spot colors in France from Paris to the Loire Valley, in Switzerland near Lake Lucerne and parts of Ireland, Germany and Austria—all in September and October.
While cultural immersion is no doubt about the history and customs of its people, make time to explore the natural side of the places you visit as well. And, if the timing matches up with fall foliage, you’ve got a little known story to tell about the science (and evolution) of leaf colors. Like all Explorica tours, it’s not just about seeing as it is understanding.