Fall colors are starting to tinge the forest canopy. The DNR is excited to share the first Fall Color Report of 2022.
Staghorn sumac and Virginia creeper are turning red, and asters are in full bloom in northeast Iowa.
Sumacs and chokecherries are shades of purple and red in north central and northwest Iowa. Gooseberries are showing off some pink colors. Plums are starting to show reds and oranges.
Reds are coming on nicely in roadside sumac and poison ivy, Virginia creeper, and a few urban maples in central Iowa. Dogwood trees change colors early with purples and maroons.
Elm, walnut, ash, and cottonwood trees are starting to show a tinge of yellow in southeast Iowa.
Fall prairie plants are in full bloom with plenty of asters and blazing stars to admire on your hikes in west central and southwest Iowa. Lots of bright yellow flowers in full bloom.
With all of Iowa’s beautiful state parks and wooded areas, there are so many places to get your fall color fix.
| Report Date | Area | Description of Fall Color | Est. Peak Viewing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/23/2022 | NE Iowa | Fall colors are beginning to tinge the forest canopy. Staghorn sumac and Virginia creeper are turning red, and asters are in full bloom. Some scattered maples are starting to turn bright orange and the white pine tree’s 2-year old needles are turning yellow and beginning to drop. | Oct. 10-15 |
| 9/26/2022 | NC and NW Iowa | Ash trees were the first to flaunt their fall colors. They are yellow and even brown at this time. Walnuts, cottonwoods, elms, boxelders and grape vines are starting to turn yellow. Virginia creeper is showing a range of colors like red, maroon, purple and orange. Sumacs and chokecherries are shades of purple and red. Gooseberries are showing off some pink colors. Plums are starting to show reds and orange. | Oct. 8-14 |
| 9/23/2022 | Central Iowa | Yellows are appearing in ash, walnut, cottonwood, and bur oaks. Reds are coming on nicely in roadside sumac and poison ivy, Virginia creeper, and a few maples in town. Dogwood trees change colors early with purples and maroons | Oct. 15-23 |
| 9/23/2022 | SE Iowa | Most of the landscape is still green. Elm, walnut, ash and cottonwood are starting to show a tinge of yellow. White ash and dogwood are showing a little bit of purple. Some urban maples are just starting to show a little red and orange. | Oct. 20 |
| SCentral Iowa | No Report | ||
| 9/26/2022 | WC and SW Iowa | Some early color is starting to show. Dry area sumac and ash are turning red and yellow. Fall prairie plants are in full bloom with plenty of asters and blazing stars to be seen on your hikes. Lots of bright yellow flowers in full bloom. | 2nd-3rd week of October |
