Now that October has officially arrived, fall colors are beginning to appear across Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is back to releasing its weekly color reports. In northeast and southeast Iowa, it is still early, although some cottonwood, walnut, and elm trees are showing signs of yellow and brown. Dogwoods and roadside shrubs are also starting to display fall shades. Peak viewing times for these regions are expected around mid-October. Northwest and north-central Iowa are seeing cottonwood and black walnut trees turn, while red maples in towns are beginning to change. Peak coloring is expected in the third to fourth week of October. As for central and south-central Iowa, about 10 to 15 percent of foliage has shifted, with red maples, sumac, dogwood, and Virginia creeper adding maroon and red tones. Walnut, basswood, elm, and hackberry are turning yellow. Colors should be the most vibrant in these areas in about two weeks’ time. Southwest Iowa is showing the most variety, with cottonwood, white ash, and red maples beginning to turn alongside sumac, dogwood, and plum shrubs, hitting their peak towards the end of the month. The DNR releases weekly updates on Iowa’s color landscape, and those can be found using the link below
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