Leaf fall

[BSK]

Like many other biological processes that some have noted appear to be "late," I'm worried we're going to see one of those Muzzleloader openers where we're only just hitting peak color instead of already seeing a lot of trees leafless. Very, very pretty hunting in those conditions, but you sure can't see far for those hunting "back in the woods." I've kept records over the years, and we're usually at peak color somewhere between Oct. 20 and 28. I don't think we're even going to come close to that this year. Seeing almost zero color now. From what I've read, leaf color is heavily influenced by rainfall and night-time cool temperatures. We've had the rain, but we haven't had any cool night temperatures until this weekend.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

The maple trees in the yard haven't even started to change. I'd say you're probably right with your prediction

 

[BSK]

The maple trees in the yard haven't even started to change. I'd say you're probably right with your prediction

Sugar maple in my yard still completely green too.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Things still pretty green here as well. Maples haven't started changing yet.

 

[Hduke86]

This was November 6th last year here in east tennessee mountains

 

[Hduke86]

This is October 20th of last year. To me around my place it seems to be about normal. The woods are usually are the prettiest/colorful by November 6-10th. All I know is they'll probably change real quick and a heavy rain and wind will knock them off overnight lol.

 

[BSK]

Last year leaf fall was very late too.

Normally, on my drive from Nashville to the KY Lake area along I-40, there is considerable color by mid-October. This year, nothing. All green.

 

[Hduke86]

Last year leaf fall was very late too.

Normally, on my drive from Nashville to the KY Lake area along I-40, there is considerable color by mid-October. This year, nothing. All green.

For sure, I live on a mountain and work on another mountain. I drive basically beside the mountain the whole way to and from work. I can "normally" look at the mountain and see the leaves changing and especially from work. I'm on the brow of lookout mountain all day everyday and it's still just a green landscape. I'll snap a picture here in a few and post it.

 

[diamond hunter]

Does this whole thing influence the rut?

 

[BSK]

Does this whole thing influence the rut?

Weather patterns generally don't influence when the rut occurs, but can influence how much is seen during daylight.

 

[Rackseeker]

I have noticed the areas I hunt , when the leaves start falling hard the deer movement slows way down. I don't know if its all the movement from the leaves or its the sudden change in landscape. The mature bucks seem to be the most effected.

 

[BSK]

I have noticed the areas I hunt , when the leaves start falling hard the deer movement slows way down. I don't know if its all the movement from the leaves or its the sudden change in landscape. The mature bucks seem to be the most effected.

I have heard others mention the same thing.

 

[cecil30-30]

I feel like we are right on time.here on the northern plateau. There is a huge difference between the valley (knoxville) and the northern plateau as usual.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Had a slight frost on elevated surfaces here this morning, maybe that will help get some down. It's just mid October though.

 

[BSK]

I feel like we are right on time.here on the northern plateau. There is a huge difference between the valley (knoxville) and the northern plateau as usual.

True. The timings I'm referring to are for the Nashville Basin. Big difference.

 

[catman529]

There's a lot of fresh leaves on the ground here but very little color change. There's always that one cold, windy, rainy day in November when all the leaves just seem to disappear.

 

[LA man]

Up on the plateau we have some color change, not a lot but some

 

[woodsman04]

I think it's nearly normal. Usually peak color in my area is about Halloween. First day of rifle most of the leaves are usually gone minus the red and white oaks which are a pretty deep red color, and of course beech trees.

I have also noticed like right when the leaves fall movement is slow.

I do know it's pretty. The bad thing about it, peak color isn't but two or three days then it's over. I wish fall and spring lasted as long as what it feels like dead winter and dog days of summer last.

 

[Antler Daddy]

I have no desire to be in the woods until the leaves start changing and falling.

 

[UTGrad]

Historically, the opening weekend and the following week of muzzleloader have been the most spectacular for leaf color where I hunt in Marshall County.

 

[Bone Collector]

I have noticed the areas I hunt , when the leaves start falling hard the deer movement slows way down. I don't know if its all the movement from the leaves or its the sudden change in landscape. The mature bucks seem to be the most effected.

I have noticed this as well.

 

[Deer Assassin]

gonna be thick

 

[Bone Collector]

not much color change, but leaves are falling. sometimes it can be distracting when tons of leaves are dropping and tons of acorns too. constant rustling noises.

 

[BSK]

Historically, the opening weekend and the following week of muzzleloader have been the most spectacular for leaf color where I hunt in Marshall County.

Amazing the difference just a few miles makes. We're usually at 50% of trees bare by opener of MZ.

 

[BigAl]

Hoping these cooler temps right now will get the leaves to changing and falling.

 

[Winchester]

Agree 100% BSK, definitely behind here in Knoxville area, and I just made a Archery trip to Nashville over the weekend and it appears to also be behind there as much or more. MZ hunting in these conditions greatly decreases what you can see when hunting heavily wooded areas, which is about all we hunt. I remember a few years in the past with similar conditions and MZ is tough due to reduced visibility in the woods. Have also noticed this year we seem to have a delayed or more so prolonged acorn drop, as acorns still actively falling heavily from many trees, even red oaks, which would normally be pretty much on the ground by now most years. Over the wknd in the Nashville area we had acorns literally raining down from both Red and White oaks. Deer having a feed trough buffet and loving it. I had forgot how many more deer you guys have in much of unit L vs us here in East TN.

 

[BSK]

Acorns and even persimmons still falling hard in Nashville and to the west along the I-40 corridor.

 

[Winchester]

Acorns and even persimmons still falling hard in Nashville and to the west along the I-40 corridor.

I saw same thing Brian, isnt this a tad late for especially Red oaks to still be dropping consistently? Usually here most on ground by now.

 

[BSK]

I saw same thing Brian, isnt this a tad late for especially Red oaks to still be dropping consistently? Usually here most on ground by now.

Yup. Everything seems to be a little late this Fall. No idea why, other than perhaps the late start everything got due to the well below average temps in May.

 

[Winchester]

Yup. Everything seems to be a little late this Fall. No idea why, other than perhaps the late start everything got due to the well below average temps in May.

Would agree, late cool spring we had for sure. Just praying for hard frost immediately to get these leaves gone, afraid its really already too late to matter much now however.