In the last few days the fall colors have really changed at Mariton. On Tuesday, the ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) in the yard was totally green. On Wednesday morning it was yellow. I think the next few days would be a great time to view the colors at Mariton. There is a lot of variability from one location to another. Dan Barringer, my colleague at Crows Nest, wrote on his blog that last weekend was probably the peak of their color. (You can access Dan’s blog from a bar in the right hand column.) Rebecca Shields Moose, one of our Stewardship Assistants, told me that driving north on the Northeast Extension that there was vibrant color until she reached the Lansdale Exit. North of the exit the colors were still dominated by greens.
The spicebush (Lindera benzoin) turned yellow seemingly overnight. The tuliptrees (Liriodendron tulipifera) are now mostly yellow. Many are even a warm orange. The various hickory species (Carya) are now a yellow-orange. The sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is turning yellow and many are orange and reds. Some of the beech trees (Fagus grandifolia) have turned a bright yellow, but many are still quite green. The European larch (Larix decidua), planted along the Main Trail, are just beginning to turn color. I think that next week they will turn a lovely golden yellow. Larches are one of the few deciduous conifers.
Besides walking through the forest and looking up to see the individual trees aflame. I recommend visiting the River Lookout Trail and the Chimney Rock Trail. These two spots offer views across the river of a color mosaic. Of course the view comes with a price. Both trails drop about 150 feet in elevation and have to be climbed again, and there are short rocky sections. But then, you will be so buoyed by the experience, you will hardly notice the ascent. Another good viewing area is anywhere in the meadows. Walk up one of the trails that leads to the meadows and you will be "on the outside looking into" the forest. Since three of the meadows are populated with sassafras shoots this also offers some stunning colors. This photo of one of the sassafras meadows was taken by Carole Mebus on Tuesday.
