Maine forests still largely green as foliage reports begin
Maine’s Fall Foliage Season Begins, but Drought‑Stressed Greenlands Await Color
By Rebecca Richard – Maine News Now
September 10, 2026
The state of Maine has officially kicked off its annual fall foliage reporting season today, September 9, but the trees across the peninsula remain stubbornly green. Forest officials from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DAF) and the Maine Forest Service (MFS) report that both color change and leaf drop are currently rated “very low” in all seven state‑wide foliage zones.
The early‑season assessment comes after a dry summer that has left many of the state’s forests under water stress. While the “golden” displays that many Mainerans look forward to each fall are still anticipated, experts warn that the lack of precipitation could dull the intensity of the colors and shorten the season in some areas, especially those that did not receive much rain.
A Gradual, Uneven Transition
According to the MFS’s annual foliage report, color development usually follows a predictable north‑to‑south pattern, with higher‑elevation stands changing first. “Color develops at different times across the state and across different landscapes,” said Patty Cormier, state forester and MFS director. “The timing and intensity can vary with elevation, latitude, and local microclimates.”
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension explains that the process begins as days grow shorter and nighttime temperatures fall below 45 °F but remain above freezing. Under those conditions, chlorophyll production slows, allowing yellow and orange pigments already present in the leaves to become visible. Warm, sunny days can encourage the development of deep reds, while cooler nights help preserve the green.
Frost is not required to initiate the change; some leaves begin to shift hues earlier in the season, the Extension notes. The MFS expects the classic progression of red, orange, yellow, and brown to unfold over the next few weeks, beginning in the high‑mountain zones in the western part of the state and moving southward.
Drought’s Impact on Color and Timing
The current season’s dry conditions are a key concern. The MFS has observed that drought can trigger premature leaf aging, leading to early leaf drop before the full spectrum of fall colors has had a chance to develop. “Even though this summer’s lack of rain may dull the colors and shorten the season in some areas, Maine should still have beautiful fall colors across the state, especially in the western mountains, which have received a good amount of rain,” said Gale Ross, the department’s foliage spokesperson, in the official September 9 release.
The phenomenon is not new. Previous drought years have shown that water‑stressed trees can shed leaves early, reducing the duration of the color show. In 2025, for example, the state’s forests were overwhelmingly green on the first day of reporting, mirroring the 2026 assessment.
Tradition and Anticipation
While the color change is still underway, many Maine residents are already preparing for the second half of the season—leaf clean‑up and the familiar sight of children jumping into piles of fallen leaves. “Once the color show is over, there is still one more fall tradition ahead: raking the leaves into piles, and, of course, jumping in them,” the MFS reminded in its 2026 update.
Maine’s fall foliage reporting program has been running for 68 years, relying on observations from forestry and conservation professionals to track color and leaf drop across the state’s seven foliage zones. These data feed into the annual report that is widely shared with residents, tourists, and scientists who study forest phenology.
What Residents Can Do
Forestry officials encourage Mainerans to monitor their own local conditions. If trees are showing early yellowing or leaf drop, it may be a sign of water stress. Planting drought‑resistant native species and maintaining healthy soil can help mitigate the impact of future dry spells.
The Maine DAF also advises that the best viewing spots remain in the western mountains and higher elevations, where rainfall has been more plentiful. “Those areas are likely to provide the most vivid color displays this year,” Ross added.
Looking Ahead
As the state watches its forests, the hope remains that the typical burst of autumn color will still paint Maine’s landscapes, even if the palette is slightly muted. From the peaks of the White Mountains to the lowlands of Kennebec County, residents and visitors alike will be watching the slow dance of chlorophyll breakdown and pigment exposure—an annual reminder that even in a dry summer, nature finds a way to turn green into gold.
