FALL COLOR MIGHT BE MUTED, BUT NOT A WASH

A dry spell followed by damp, cloudy weather may have set the stage for less-than-impressive fall foliage this season.

But Charles H. Korns, horticulturist at Southeast Missouri State University, said this year's fall colors won't be a complete wash.

"I don't think the dogwoods and pin oaks will be as attractive as last year," he said. But by mid-October, as other trees like maples, hickories and hackberries begin to show their colors, the display should improve, said Korns.

If the weather is nice in October, many people will be drawn to the outdoors despite the quality of nature's color display.

"Give them a nice, Indian summer day, and people are just happy to be out driving around," Korns said.

Pete Skuba, an Illinois Department of Conservation forester, agreed that dry summer weather hurt many trees, making them more likely to turn colors early and lose their leaves early.

The damp, cloudy days and varying temperatures over much of Illinois in recent weeks usually produce muted colors.

Warm, sunny days and cool nights are the keys to vibrant fall foliage.

Two toll-free telephone numbers are available to those looking for the best fall displays.

For information on Missouri and northern Arkansas call the Mark Twain National Forest fall-color hotline at 1-800-898-8895. The recorded message is updated throughout the season with information on what trees are reaching color peaks and recommendations for scenic drives, special events and roadside highlights. The message this week says Missouri's peak color this year is expected during the first two weeks of October.

For information on best fall displays in the nation, call the U.S. Forest Service's national fall-color hotline at 1-800-354-4595. The recorded message tells where fall color is at its best in the nation and which areas are close behind.

A favorite local fall-color tour starts at the intersection of Highway 61 and Route C north of Fruitland and goes along Route C through New Wells to Frohna in the east Perry County hill country.

Another fall-color tour is along Highway 72 from Cape Girardeau to Fredericktown, then west to Ironton and Arcadia, south to Piedmont, east on Highway 34 to Marble Hill, and back to Cape Girardeau. The tour includes parts of the Mark Twain National Forest.