Colorful Central Texas (Spring, Red Oak: appointed, tree, metro)

[Zembonez]

Doc, many of the trees in Texas are evergreen varieties of Juniper and Oak. Obviously not all areas are going to turn fall colors. That does not mean that there aren't pockets of genuine fall color in the Hill Country and other parts of the state.

[doctorjef]

You mean I lived in Texas between 1970 to 2004 and never saw a really decent Fall?!? (OK, I missed the autumn of 1981, as I spent about 18 months in Colorado at that time; and left in Aug 2004, so didn't see the Autumn that year). Yeah -- there were some pockets of colour in Southeast Texas. Even taking into account all the live oak and native cedar (actually juniper) trees in Austin and Central Texas, I wouldn't say the deciduous trees ever turned really nicely.

Texas has some nice natural features, but colourful autumns isn't one of them.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

You mean I lived in Texas between 1970 to 2004 and never saw a really decent Fall?!? (OK, I missed the autumn of 1981, as I spent about 18 months in Colorado at that time; and left in Aug 2004, so didn't see the Autumn that year). Yeah -- there were some pockets of colour in Southeast Texas. Even taking into account all the live oak and native cedar (actually juniper) trees in Austin and Central Texas, I wouldn't say the deciduous trees ever turned really nicely.

Texas has some nice natural features, but colourful autumns isn't one of them.

I have been here for 34 years and this is the best one I can remember.

[TexasHorseLady]

This is an extraordinary fall in Central Texas. That being said, I've lived in Texas for 60 years now and I've seen some truly outstanding color in East Texas (used to see it all the time when I was growing up there). Yellows, reds, oranges, bright and glowing.

I also remember some other beautiful falls in Central Texas (I moved to Central Texas in 1969, doctorjef, so we were during the same period). More subtle than this year, but truly lovely.

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

You mean I lived in Texas between 1970 to 2004 and never saw a really decent Fall?!? (OK, I missed the autumn of 1981, as I spent about 18 months in Colorado at that time; and left in Aug 2004, so didn't see the Autumn that year). Yeah -- there were some pockets of colour in Southeast Texas. Even taking into account all the live oak and native cedar (actually juniper) trees in Austin and Central Texas, I wouldn't say the deciduous trees ever turned really nicely.

Texas has some nice natural features, but colourful autumns isn't one of them.

Are you here now???

2004 was over like 7 years ago.

[Outflowboundary]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

This is an extraordinary fall in Central Texas. That being said, I've lived in Texas for 60 years now and I've seen some truly outstanding color in East Texas (used to see it all the time when I was growing up there). Yellows, reds, oranges, bright and glowing.

I also remember some other beautiful falls in Central Texas (I moved to Central Texas in 1969, doctorjef, so we were during the same period). More subtle than this year, but truly lovely.

I have seen some beautiful falls in the 10 years that I have been here in East Texas, and this was one was certainly one of them.

Maples, tupelos, sweet gums, hickories, white oaks, red oaks, pear trees, dogwoods, all had beautiful color this year. I think the mild temperature this fall has allowed the leaves to remain on the trees for longer than they usually do.

[doctorjef]

Yes, 2004 was 7 years ago. What's your point? Do you think that Autumn climate in Texas has undergone some huge modification in the last seven years, relative to what it was before that? Indeed, if I go back to my childhood, I've been observing some Texas autumns since the 1950's. I don't recall any of them being really striking. Places I've lived that have colourful autumns include Colorado, Virginia, DC, and Delaware -- but indeed I'd say northern Delaware more than any of the other places (although the combo of the mountains and aspens in CO can be pretty amazing).

But glad your Autumn this year is better than normal.

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

Yes, 2004 was 7 years ago. What's your point? Do you think that Autumn climate in Texas has undergone some huge modification in the last seven years, relative to what it was before that? Indeed, if I go back to my childhood, I've been observing some Texas autumns since the 1950's. I don't recall any of them being really striking. Places I've lived that have colourful autumns include Colorado, Virginia, DC, and Delaware -- but indeed I'd say northern Delaware more than any of the other places (although the combo of the mountains and aspens in CO can be pretty amazing).

But glad your Autumn this year is better than normal.

My point is it is 2011 and you're not even here to experience or see what we're talking about; yet trying to argue with us.

[Outflowboundary]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

Places I've lived that have colourful autumns include Colorado, Virginia, DC, and Delaware -- but indeed I'd say northern Delaware more than any of the other places (although the combo of the mountains and aspens in CO can be pretty amazing).

I think that is part of what has made this fall so nice in Texas. People expect colorful foliage in places like you have mentioned, but not many people think of Texas when they think of fall colors. So when we do have a beautiful fall, it is a sight for sore eyes.

[Lee W.]

Our Bigtooth Maple doesn't turn color until December. It knows when to do that and that's fine with me! I'm just grateful for all the drizzle we've been getting. Nothing like drought to make you appreciate the days that are cloudy, cool and just drizzling every day for a week!