Maryland Fall Foliage Report for Oct. 16 – Leaves Changing Across the State
Fall Foliage Map Oct. 16
As we hit mid-October, our foresters are reporting past-peak conditions at high elevations, while farther east leaves are still only starting to change.
Garrett County is experiencing peak foliage this week, with brilliant yellow leaves on shagbark and pignut hickory trees.
Continued change along the Catoctin Mountain range has slightly progressed over the past week. At this point about a third of trees have or are in the process of changing. More rain has continued to bring down leaves, but previous drought stress has limited overall color. Most species have revealed some color change.
Western Montgomery County and Carrol County are nearing midpoint, with walnut, spicebush, blackgum, and redbud showing beautiful colors. Baltimore, Howard, Harford and Cecil counties are showing more color but still just changing, though frost and rain has contributed to some leaf fall.
On the Eastern Shore, cooler, shorter days are finally causing the leaves to change.
Field Reports
Garrett County, Forester Melissa Nash
Yellow hickory leaves. Photo by Melissa Nash.
Some much-needed moisture has helped stay additional leaf drop in Garrett County, and allowed for additional color. Higher elevations, however, are pushing past peak from leaf drop earlier in the season. Much of the county began seeing peak foliage early this week with lower elevations, and some later changing species, such as oaks, still to come.
My personal favorite, and star of the show this week, are the hickories! Shagbark hickory and pignut hickory are the most common of the Carya genus in Garrett County. These species typically turn a glowing golden yellow. While not quite as vibrant as other years, they are starting to shine.
Frederick County, Dakota Durcho
Continued change has been noted over the past week along the Catoctin Mountain range. Despite more rain, the dry conditions early in the season have cemented early leaf drop and limited color. Leaf change and drop can be seen on about a third of trees now. The most commonly changed trees are black walnut, blackgum, flowering dogwood, red maple, yellow-poplar, and some hickory and oak.
The oaks had the most notable change since last week. So far, the oaks appear to be browning and dropping leaves with little to no color change. Once freezing temperatures arrive, leaf change and drop will speed up.
Dorchester County, Forester Alex Fignar
Cooler temperatures and shorter days are finally impacting foliage in the mid-Shore region.
The Marshy Hope Complex in Northern Dorchester County provides a glimpse into the foliage change beginning to occur.
While the oaks are still sturdy and green, the sweet gum, hickories, and dogwoods have begun to exhibit their fall colors. Sweet gum and hickory are turning a bright yellow to orange while dogwoods and black gum are beginning to turn bright red bringing sharp contrast to a once green landscape.
Somerset County, Forester Rachel Egolf
We have signs of changing leaves in Somerset County on the southern part of the Eastern Shore. Yellows, browns and a few reds and purples can be seen if one is looking.
Field edges and forest buffers are easier to see now that the corn is being harvested throughout the county.
Walnut trees (Juglans nigra) are yellowing and dropping leaves while their large green fruits hang in the trees. American sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) are turning from yellow to brown. Dogwoods (Cornus florida) are showing their red and purplish leaves dominated by anthocyanins along with clusters of bright red or orange drupes.
Speaking of those beautiful reds and purples, poison ivy is showing off by changing from glossy green to its fall colors now. Remember: leaves of three, let it be. Virginia creeper vines (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), with their five leaflets, are turning red with purplish black berries. These berries are poisonous to humans.
Persimmons (Diospyros virginiana) are ripening and falling in the forest. Cutting open the seeds you can find the shapes of either spoons, knives or forks in the center of the kernel. Old wisdom claims the shape found in the seed predicts whether the coming winter will be snowy with plenty of snow to shovel (spoon), bitterly cold with biting winds (knife), or mild (fork).
Deer and other animals that depend on the tasty fruit don’t care what shape is in the center as they usually eat the fruit whole.
Worcester County, Pocomoke River State Park Camp Store Manager Janet Heaton
Ghost flower. Photo by Anthony Jenkins.
The nor’easter made its way through the Eastern Shore this past weekend but the sunshine has returned. Cooler weather is making it feel more like fall and nature is changing the landscape colors like a beautiful painting.
Ghost flower, or ghost pipe, was spotted in the Shad Landing area of Pocomoke River State Park. Ghost flower does not produce chlorophyll, causing its whitish-pink appearance. Read more about this unique plant on our website.
There are also mushrooms underfoot this time of year along with the knees of bald cypress trees.
Pocomoke River State Park, Shading Landing. Photo by Anthony Jenkins.
Honey mushrooms at Shading Landing. Photo by Anthony Jenkins.
Celestial Report
The Moon and Venus. Photo by Anthony Burrows.
We may have some comets to view in the next few weeks. Look for Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) low in the southwest sky about an hour and a half after sunset. You may need binoculars or a telescope. It should arrive around October 20. Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), should be around too. Look low in the northwestern sky, find the big dipper and follow the handle down to the horizon.
The Moon and Venus get together on October 19. They’ll be visible in the dawn sky around 5:45 a.m. about an hour and a half before sunrise. The Moon will be 28 days old so it’ll be a sliver.
Hunt and Fish This Fall
The first segment of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer season will be open Oct. 16-18 statewide. Hunters in Region B — the state’s central, southern, and eastern regions — can also use muzzleloaders from Oct. 20-25 for antlerless deer only.
“The early muzzleloader season is a great opportunity to enjoy the colors of autumn while putting venison in the freezer,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “Coinciding with cooler weather and increased deer activity makes it a great time to be out in the woods helping to manage Maryland’s deer herd.”
Read more about the season on our website.
Squirrel season opened Sept. 6; rabbit season will open Nov. 1. Small game hunting is a great way for novice hunters to develop woodsmanship skills. Learn more about Maryland’s small game hunting on our website.
The fall foliage makes a great backdrop for fishing – check out the hues while waiting for your bite. Check out our weekly Fishing Report and stocking update below:
Maryland Fishing Report – October 15
Maryland Department of Natural Resources to Begin Fall Trout Stocking for 2025
Happenings
October 18: Cryptid Hike
Noon at Cedarville State Forest
Meet at the pond for a guided 2-mile hike along the Green Trail and dive into the world of Maryland’s mysterious cryptids! As we explore the forest and streams, we’ll share tales of strange creatures like Chessie, the Chesapeake Bay sea monster. Learn how folklore and local legends are tied to the natural landscape, and keep your eyes open… you never know what might be lurking just beyond the trees! This family-friendly hike is a mix of storytelling, nature observation, and outdoor adventure. Weather permitting.
