Trees changing color (Portland: live, best, metro area)

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by doggiemama

Oh, rats! We were going to dress up to greet the trick-or-treaters. We had so many in Austin we would always run out of candy no matter how much extra I bought.

Maybe they will be in your area. I live in the Buckman neighborhood along Hawthorne Blvd. There are kids here but I don't see them playing outside a whole lot.

Could be they are just too young because as I walk along I see a lot of baby strollers and play equipmemnt in front porches.

At one time we did have kids of all ages. For many years I had an abundancy of Trick or Treaters. Maybe they have gotten too old for this and the new kids have to grow up to go trick or treating.

I do know that the nearby schools and parks advertise parties for the kids. I guess the parents feel that is safer than having their kids going from house to house by themselves and more convenient than having to go with them.

Halloween is my favorite holiday.

[Jen54]

That's a good thing (the park affair) and a bad thing because this generation (and those to come) will never know the "real" meaning of trick or treating! that was the highlight of the year! going to houses and getting pillow cases full of candy! We still do it in our neighborhood, but kids are getting less and less every year!

[pdxMIKEpdx]

The problem with fall color in the Portland area is that it gets just cold enough for the leaves to start to change color, then the rain starts and temperatures stay moderate, not letting the leaves get those vibrant colors.
Then you get a storm and the leaves get blown off the trees and it's all over.

If you are thinking about spectacular fall colors like the east coast has, you may be disappointed.

You do get to make big piles of leaves, but they are no fun for kids to jump in and play in because they are wet and full of baby slugs.

[EnricoV]

Have to disagree.

Fall is my favorite season, and I've always enjoyed the fall colors and the piles of leaves. I'm always reluctant to rake them up, I enjoy them so much. But I don't recall ever encountering slugs in them. And sure, some years they do get water sodden. But that's not a given.

[mdvaden]

Here's one I pruned in NW Portland last March. Since I was in that neighborhood today, stopped by to get a photo of it with leaves on.

This is not an upright Japanese maple. It's a weeping Japanese maple. 14 feet tall, and 15 feet wide.

: - )

[EnricoV]

Gorgeous! I love Japanese maples, and I think they produce the prettiest color when they turn.

[howardsgirlfriend]

You won't see entire displays of bright fall coloring, but you can select trees and shrubs known for great fall color. I did that in my yard, and I'm never disappointed.

[Fiddlehead]

Down here in S. Oregon, we do pretty well with red maples. They start to turn in October and sometimes get quite bright.

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

Down here in S. Oregon, we do pretty well with red maples. They start to turn in October and sometimes get quite bright.

Yeah ... I recall one spot too ... forget the street, but it runs east / west, parallel to Main Street, but to the south of it, and there's like a big open park with red maples there. Not far from 99.

[doggiemama]

This site has some nice shots Oregon Fall Foliage | Let us help you find the best color throughout Oregon