Fall foliage is back; local expert explains what causes the leaves to change

FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) – If you’ve taken a trip outside recently, you may notice the leaves are starting to change.

That’s right, fall foliage is back here in the Mountain State!

Dave Bieri is the district supervisor for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. He said the fall foliage is coming in a little quicker than usual.

Throughout the year, trees are producing chlorophyll, which is what they use to make food. They process sunlight into food through photosynthesis and that chlorophyll makes the green color you see in the leaves. Winter time the trees go into a dormancy where they stop producing chlorophyll”

Dave Bieri, District Supervisor for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

What’s causing the leaves to change color depends on a few factors, including sunny days and cool temperatures at night. He said rainfall also plays a factor, with it being ideal that we get a decent amount of rainfall during the spring and summer time.

To get those perfect fall colors, Bieri said it’s all dependent on the tree itself.

Fall foliage also means big business in the Mountain State, with thousands of people across the country visiting the state.

Bieri hopes this year will be just as good as previous years.

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