Autumn Has Come to Northeast Florida

Last autumn was not that great here in my part of Northeast Florida. It was dull and the leaves weren’t that showy and just seemed to fall off the trees. It really made me miss autumn like I knew they could be. This year has been a total 360.

I believe it is because of the lack of any significant rainfall since May of this year combined with the very high temperatures that accompanied this summer and even early and mid autumn. The colors just within the past two weeks have really shown up and they are actually spectacular. The cooler temperatures and the angle of the sun must have pushed them to change. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of any of this great autumn color; I just thought I would share my observations.

A tree that is very disappointing here in Florida for autumn color is the Crape Myrtle. These trees are so beautiful during the summer here like anywhere else but, the autumn color can’t be compared to their autumn color in states further up north.  At my house this year after our summer 90 degree everyday marathon ended in October and with the lack of rain the trees started to regrow leaves like it was spring. Most of the leaves from this past summer and spring had already fallen of just because of the trees not getting enough water. Now the new growth just recently seems confused and has started to color, although no very pretty. The Crapes are now looking like it’s winter, which is fitting since winter started December 1, well, meteorological winter. When the meteorological season start make a whole lot more sense to me and that is what I go by.

 “A Winter Crape”