WOODBURY, Conn.-
Despite recent concerns about tree fungus in parts of Connecticut, experts say leaf-peepers should see some good fall foliage in the coming weeks.
Connecticut’s foliage is expected to reach peak color between Oct. 20 and 25, but leaves have already started turning in the northern corners of the state. Dogwood and oak trees are becoming cranberry and scarlet while maple and beech leaves are turning caramel and bronze.
Experts say the colorful autumn display comes after one of the worst fungus outbreaks in Connecticut in years. Anthracnose fungi caused thousands of trees to turn a drab brown and drop their leaves about a month too soon. The fungus, which thrived because of heavy rains in May, was found mostly on trees in the northwest hills, though patches were found in other parts of the state.
“There are some places you may find sugar maples that are brown but if you drive a mile down the road you won’t notice anything wrong,” said Don Smith, state forester and director of the state Department of Environmental Protection’s forestry division.
The best foliage is expected to be in northern Connecticut this weekend, spreading to the southern part of the state over the next two weeks.
About 40 percent of Connecticut’s $10 billion tourism industry is generated in autumn as an estimated 2.9 million people visit the state to see the foliage, according to statistics from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.
Tourism is doing well this fall compared with last year, when damp weather kept many fall leaf-peepers away.
“We’re seeing a strong fall this year,” said Rena Calcaterra, a spokeswoman for the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. “The area hotels are reporting a strong October and camp grounds are full.”
In the rolling hills of Litchfield County, Tom Fernandes, a manager and chef at Longwood Country Inn in Woodbury, said the bed and breakfast is doing well this season. People made reservations as far back as July for a chance to see the colorful leaves.
“We’re booked through the whole month solid with the rooms,” Fernandes said.
Fernandes said colors began turning about a week and a half ago.
Inn guests Pamela Harper, 57, and her husband, Scott, 58, said it was their first visit to New England from their home in San Clemente, Calif.
“You can feel the changing of the season as the leaves fall,” said Pamela Harper. “The colors change and the temperature drops and people start to snuggle inside their homes. It’s wonderful.”
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