Blog Post Image: Fall foliage season may be later, but longer on warmer Earth

The fall foliage season in some areas of the United States could come much later and possibly last a little longer by the end of the century as climate change causes summer temperatures to linger later into the year, according to Princeton University researchers. The researchers collected data on leaf-change dates for several tree species in Alaska and Massachusetts, and found that daily temperature and daylight hours can be used to predict the timing of leaf coloration. The influence of these factors, however, depends on the individual tree species and the specific geographic area, they found. This photo shows the early foliage season in the Institute Woods in Princeton, New Jersey. (Photo by Christine Medvigy)