Pin Oak, Chinese Pistache, Crepe Myrtle flush in LA
Crepe Myrtle Show Their Color, LA Co. Arboretum (11/12/11) © 2011 Frank McDonough
50 – 75% – LA County Arboretum – Frank McDonough reports that of the trees to show color at the LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, half of their leaves have turned. Visiting an arboretum is a great way to see what color appears on a tree and when it appears… useful in planning a garden.
Autumn Blaze, LA Co. Arboretum (11/12/11) © 2011 Frank McDonough
The local mountains are also showing some fall color as well. Although the trees seem a bit confused this year. It was warm. Then it snowed. Usually by this time of year the oaks have turned. They’re just starting now. However, there are some dogwoods that are putting on a pretty good show right now. Park at the Doane Pond lot and walk around the pond to the Thunder Spring Trail. Take this trail about a mile to the Chimney Flats trail. About a quarter mile uphill on that trail are the dogwoods. Unless you want to go on a 5 mile loop, go back the same way that you came. The park’s website has the trail maps available under the brochures section.
Jimbo,
Where are you located?
Southern California
The above comment was for Palomar Mountain State Park in San Diego County. We just got back from hiking around Idyllwild in Riverside County. The oaks were at their peak. It’s a nice drive up to Idyllwild driving south from I10 on SR243. Depending on the weather, I’d expect this to last for at least another week. However, tomorrow and again on Thanksgiving, it’s supposed to snow up there. Depending on how heavy the snowfall is, it may not last too much longer. Pretty much anywhere up in the local mountains that have stands of oaks should look pretty good. The Lake Gregory/Lake Arrowhead area in San Bernadino County is another nice place to visit this time of year.