Weather could mute fall leaf colors

Iowa’s mix of wet weather and draught this spring and summer could have animpact on the fall leaf colors. Iowa State University extension forrestor Mark Vitosh (vit-tosh) says clearand cool days with just a little moisture usually produce the most vibrantreds, yellows and oranges in fall leaves. Vitosh says the clear and coolelements are in place, but it’s been a little too dry lately. Vitosh says theflooding in some parts of the state earlier this year may also have aninfluence on leaf color, as the stress cause by flooding can impact treesfor several years.He says it’s hard to tell the impact of any of the weather factors just yet.Vitosh says the timing of the color change in trees can be an indication ofstress. If trees turn color early, it could indicate they’re stressed.Vitosh says you could see a wide variety of colors depending on what areaof the state you’re in.