Is there anyone not humming along? That classic masterpiece by Mercer, Kosma and Prevert, has been an all-time favorite of many, even though there’s a good deal of nostalgia in it. The second stanza even more so, in fact, downright sad, so we won’t go there.
Falling leaves are indeed one of the most beautiful and thought-provoking sights. Think momentarily the last time you traveled a fast road in the fall, how the dry leaves skittered across the highway like a bunch of crabs on a beach. And is anything more fun than to plow through a mound of leaves at zoom miles per hour, glancing in your rearview mirror as they skim along the surface?
And then there are those times they bury your windshield, or perhaps your whole car while you were at work or asleep. But what can you do? Oh sure, you can drag out your noisy, smelly leaf blower, but by the time you get the second half cleared, the first half is almost covered again. So unless you just like to rake or blow leaves for exercise, you might as well let it all go until 90% have fallen.
It might be safe to say that at one time or another when “autumn leaves start to fall” we think of the Northeastern states, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and so forth. And why is that so? Why do they have a greater percentage of fall colors than western states? Or do they? I’m not ashamed to admit my index finger is imprinted with a ‘G’ for Google. So, let’s see what it has to say.
There seems to be at least three main reasons some states get more attention when it comes to beautiful fall foliage. It’s not so much the state, as the elevation of certain areas, and density of certain tree species in that area. The higher the elevation the cooler the nights and moderate days, ideal conditions for triggering the chemical changes that produce bright colors. So really, that leaves the Catskills, Adirondacks, and Appalachians in the East, and the Rockies, Cascades, and Sierra-Nevada ranges in the West, quite competitive.
Tree species have everything to do with this botanical phenomenon. Eastern states have a large variety of leaf-bearing trees – Maple, Oak, Beech, and Aspen. Most Western states produce more Evergreens, Pine, Fir, Hemlock, and Spruce.
Moisture. You would think Oregon would win this debate hands down. But it’s not so much the amount of rain or snow, as consistency. Eastern states have more regular rain patterns, allowing their tree leaves to hold on longer, resulting in more vivid color. The West has more droughts, more stress on the trees.
Getting closer to home, it would be almost impossible to list all the drives you could take to enjoy our local leaf panoramas, but here’s some suggestions. If you live in Cottage Grove either of the lake drives, Dorena or Cottage Grove reservoirs would be fun, or drive west on Main Street to Cottage Grove-Lorane Road, all the way to Lorane. Watch for vineyards; grape leaves also change color.
For CresDwellers (my new word), Cloverdale, Sears, and Camas Swale roads would provide a nice photo op. The photos shown here were taken just outside Creswell, close to a shopping center.
Just about any road off Hwy. 58 in Pleasant Hill would be enjoyable – Enterprise, Jasper-Lowell, and Rattlesnake, to name a few.
So, before the show is over, get out there and gather a few small stalks, branches, or individual leaves for a table decoration. It’s going to be a full year ’til this visitor drops by again.
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