By Andrew Berry
Bernheim’s fall color is really starting to pop throughout the Arboretum and Natural Areas.
The Arboretum is ablaze with maples in hundreds of shades of orange, red, and yellow. Sweetgums are changing from orange to purple along the Arboretum loop while ginkgo trees are starting to turn brilliant golden and will remain illuminated until leaf drop in early November. In the understory of the forest spicebush and sugar maple are truly spectacular. Sassafras is perfectly orange and redbud has chimed in with hues of lime and yellow. In the prairies, blackberries have begun to turn deep purple and crimson, adding to the sumac that is continuing to hold color. Looking at the interior forest we can see color change in the lower elevations but many green oaks still remain.
We expect peak colors along Bernheim’s Forest Hill Drive and trails to arrive during the first week of November, culminating with Colorfest on November 4-5, centered around the Bernheim Visitor Center.