Fall Colors

Tours of some of the best fall color are in the Upper Peninsula in the Ottawa National Forest.  The tours cover the most scenic portions of the forest, including the Sturgeon River Gorge and Sylvania Recreation Area.  Some are tree-lined tunnels through rolling, lake-studded terrain, while others offer vistas of Lake Superior. 
With the cooler fall temperatures and shorter days, leaves quit producing food and the green pigment chlorophyll disintegrates.  Then the yellow pigments that are always present in the leaves begin to show.  The reds and oranges of sumac and maple are the result of a reddish pigment produced particularly in the fall.  Once the green is gone, the trees are dormant for the winter. 
The timing of the fall color change varies with the year’s temperature and precipitation, species present, and the characteristics of individual trees.  The brightest colors occur with clear, dry, and cool but not freezing weather. 
Take advantage of the fall colors in your national forests during the fall season.  Maps and fall color brochures are available at any of your local forest service offices.  For more information, contact the Ottawa National Forest in Ironwood at (906) 932-1330.

The following pictures were taken by Arlene Schneller.

Old Depot Museum
150 North Lowell
PO Box 45
Ironwood, MI.  49938
906/932-1122 (phone)
906/932-2756 (fax)
email: chamber@ironwoodmi.org

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