Incoming in Inyo County

The excitement continues to grow in the Eastern Sierra as the autumn equinox approaches. Small flecks of lime greens and yellows continue to make their appearances.

Inyo County color spotter, Betsy Forsyth, reports that things are getting started in the Bishop area.

“Down in the valley there are plenty of yellow hues in the cottonwoods,” she states. More is expected to pop up by next weekend.

The approach of the first day of fall is also queueing up some fall weather, according to the National Weather Service. Wind, showers and freezes are in the forecast for the Eastern Sierra in the coming week. Expect this to trigger additional color changes in the region.

Deciduous trees drop their leaves in order to survive.  As days grow shorter and colder, deciduous trees shut down veins and capillaries (that carry water and nutrients) with a barrier of cells that form at the leaf’s stem.

Called “abscission” cells, the barrier prevents the leaf from being nourished. The abscission layer blocks the transportation of materials from the leaf to the branch and from the roots to the leaves. As green Chlorophyll is blocked from the leaves, it disappears completely from them and that is when the fall colors begin to appear.

As long as the days stay warm, cold nights are good for creating vibrant fall color.