Leaves in the Lehigh Valley and Poconos will soon be at their peak autumn color.
Lehigh and Northampton counties will be approaching peak color over the next week, while northern areas, such as Monroe County, will have peak color, according to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The DCNR said in its weekly foliage forecast that leaves in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Bucks, Berks and Montgomery counties will be yellow, approaching peak color, through the next week. Monroe will be peaking at orange during that time period.
Foresters said that all counties in southeastern Pennsylvania are starting to see fall color. Red maple, sycamore and black gum are approaching peak color, according to the report.
In Monroe County, most areas are showing strong fall color with the exception of urban areas like Stroudsburg, the DCNR said. Foresters recommend visiting Big Pocono State Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and county or state parks in the area.
The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau said in its weekly report that sassafras, winged sumac, and flowering dogwoods are currently displaying bright crimson foliage, adding “vivid color.” Full color is at 40%, while 85% of the leaves remain on trees in the area, their report states. Peak color is expected there the week of Oct. 20.
