Nina Bassuk

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Nina Bassuk is a professor emerita at Cornell University and an expert in horticulture. She can comment on this year’s expected leaf peeping forecast.

Bassuk says: 

“We’ve had an unusually wet summer. This could impact fall colors in 2 ways. With greater rainfall, tree leaves will stay on the trees longer potentially allowing for more time for fall color to develop, albeit a little later in the fall color season. However, greater moisture also favors the growth of fungi that could affect the leaves causing them to drop earlier. This is species dependent.

“Although there have been outbreaks of oak wilt in Canandaigua and Glenville as well of on Long Island, the NYS DEC has taken aggressive action to try to eliminate the infections- at least in upstate NY. Oak wilt will not affect fall color primarily because the species that provide the most vivid fall colors are not oaks; they are maples, birch, black gums and ginkgos to name a few. The other factors affecting fall color are environmental conditions during the time when leaf colors change. Warm nights and overcast rainy days favor more muted yellow colors, while sunny days and cool nights favor greater red, orange and purple fall colors.

“No matter how one season changes to the next, there will be fall color this year. Get out and enjoy it.”

Ari Novy

Executive Director of Cornell Botanic Gardens

Ari Novy is the Executive Director of the Cornell Botanic Gardens.

Novy says:

“The Finger Lakes have experienced above average rainfall this growing season, leading to fewer stressed trees in our forests and setting the stage for excellent fall color. If September and October bring warm sunny days and cool nights above freezing, those conditions could make this year fantastic.

“The extra rain this season has also increased the intensity of foliar fungal pathogens in our urban forest. Heavy maple anthracnose and tar spot are contributing to early leaf drop, with the invasive Norway maple being particularly impacted. Proper sanitation practices during leaf cleanup can help keep the disease intensity lower next year.”