Redding Shows First Tints

Diestelhorst Bridge, Redding (10/27/11) © 2011 Jenny Zink

0 – 15% – Redding – With color descending throughout California (now peaking at 6,000′), we begin to get reports from our urban forests.  From Redding, color spotter Jenny Zink reports that color is appearing two weeks later than normal – which we’ve noticed across the country.  She attribute’s Redding’s clear skies and warm daytime temps (second sunniest city in America) as helping to keep the trees green so far, this autumn.  However, the first signs of yellow are now appearing in riparian areas long the Sacramento River.  Here, you see people walking across the historic Diestelhorst Bridge in downtown Redding as trees glow with the first tints of gold.  Autumn for Redding cannot be far behind.  If heading north, you’ll find color in the higher areas surrounding Redding: Hwy 299 between Redding and Weaverville, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and MacArthur Burney Memorial Falls State Park.  Plan on this area coloring up over the next two weeks, weather permitting.