Gatlinburg Fall Foliage

By the beginning of October, trees in the high country above 4,000 ft are showing bright golds and yellows of American beech, yellow birch, and yellow buckeye and different shades of reds on mountain ash, pin and black cherry and mountain maple are painting the landscape. In the lower elevations, a few early color changing species such as sourwood and sumac are showing bright reds now, but are scattered. Fall wildflowers such as goldenrod and asters are colorful throughout the park and some blueberry and blackberry shrubs are also changing color, as well as the Virginia creeper plant. The big rounded leaves of witch-hobble are showing fine displays of color ranging from yellow to red. 

By mid-October at the lower elevations, fall color is nudging along. The peak of color at the lower elevations is over a week away. In the valleys, black gum, dogwood, sumac, and sourwood trees continue to show vivid reds. Golds are coming along on tulip tree, black walnut, birch, beech, and hickories. A few scattered maples and oaks are showing the first signs of fall colors in lower regions of the Smoky Mountains. A succession of warm, sunny days and cool crisp, but not freezing nights will bring about the most spectacular color display. At this part of the autumn season, some areas may show more reds throughout the landscape if the pigment anthocyanin (which gives color to such familiar things as cranberries, red apples, and blueberries) is in high production due to drought conditions. Anthocyanin is produced in response to lots of light and excess plant sugars within leaf cells. The carotenoids which produce yellow, orange, and brown colors are present in the green leaf but begin showing after the chlorophyll breaks down. As the leaf color increases, so does the number of autumn leaf peekers. While scenic drives are a good way to see fall colors in the Smoky Mountains, taking to the trails is a wonderful way to enjoy the splendors of autumn.

As October begins to fade away up top, colors at mid-elevations, from 3,000-5,000 feet, are at or slightly past peak and very impressive. Reds are more pronounced and colors at the very highest elevations (above 5,500) are now past peak. At the lower elevations, fall colors are quickly developing, especially in Gatlinburg. Black gum, dogwood, sumacs, and sourwood trees continue to show vivid reds. Golds are present on tulip tree, black walnut, birch, beech, spicebush, and hickories. It is not unusual for some autumn color to last through the first week of November, but if the weather cooperates autumn displays could last through mid-November as well. When fall colors are past peak in the Smoky Mountains high country, a number of species of trees in the middle elevations are still showing color. Oak trees begin to change color, although the hues are somewhat muted compared to maple, hickory, and other trees. Some pockets of green can still be seen at the middle to lower elevations.