Fall color comes early
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EmailDroughty conditions across much of lower Michigan have accelerated the fall color timeline.
Residents of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula have likely noticed our fall foliage season is off to an early start. The typical development of fall color in Michigan begins in the Upper Peninsula in mid- to late-September and ends in late-October in southeast Michigan, progressing in roughly weekly increments from the Upper Peninsula southward.
Michigan State University Extension notes that this year’s fall color season is being influenced by dry weather, which has persisted for much of the summer and has intensified for many locations over the past few weeks. Based on the U.S. Drought Monitor index issued on Sept. 16, 2025, the majority of the Lower Peninsula is categorized as being abnormally dry to under severe drought (Figure 1).
This year’s dry weather has been especially acute in a swath from Allegan to Saginaw Bay. As a result of the dry weather, trees in landscapes and woodlots are under increased moisture stress, which can accelerate the development of fall color and leaf senescence.
Some things that leaf observers may notice is that this year’s fall color is highly variable—both tree to tree and even within trees (Figures 2 and 3). The variability of leaf change within trees reflects the fact that water movement is not uniform within tree crowns, and some parts of a tree may experience more stress than others. In addition to early fall color, we are also observing early leaf drop, particularly for trees such as cottonwoods and honeylocust (Figure 4).
The current pattern of fall color development is in contrast to our normal cycle of fall colors, which is largely determined by progressively cooler temperatures, especially at night, and shortening day lengths in the fall. Under our typical late summer /early fall weather, the green pigments in tree leaves (chlorophylls) begin to break down and reveal yellow/orange pigments (carotenoids) and red/purple pigments (anthocyanins). See the Science of Fall Color for more information. While temperature and daylength are always important, tree stress from unusually dry weather can also accelerate the process, as we’re seeing this year.
While our droughty conditions may make this year’s fall color a little uneven, Michigan has a wide array of trees that contribute to our autumn show and help to ensure we have a solid color season every year.
