Woodlands across the northern third of Ohio are nearing peak fall color this week, while southern and eastern forests remain about 75 percent green. Peak color for most areas is about a week away, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

"The Fall Color Season is finally in full swing in the north," Bill Schultz of ODNR's Division of Forestry says. "However, there's still significant green in the southern part of the state."

In some areas, foresters are noting a bumper crop of acorns and walnuts falling to the ground as Mother Nature works to compensate for the recent dry summer that left some trees in stress.

"When stressed by weather or lack of moisture, trees work overtime to regenerate their species," Schultz says. "Consequently, they produce abundant 'seed' in the form of nuts or acorns."

To help Ohioans and out-of-state visitors make the most of this popular outdoor season, weekly updates are available from the best fall color viewing locations across the state by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE. Users can also find fall color information on the Internet at ohiodnr.com . Ohio's 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 124 state nature preserves provide excellent locations for viewing fall color up close. Here's a list of recommended areas by region.

CENTRAL

Alum Creek State Park (Delaware County) Fair
Mount Gilead State Park (Morrow County) Near Peak
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve (Licking County) Fair
Deer Creek State Park (Pickaway County) Near Peak

NORTHEAST

Mohican State Park and State Forest (Ashland County) Near Peak
Findley State Park (Lorain County) Near Peak
Malabar Farm State Park (Richland County) Near Peak
Hach-Otis State Nature Preserve (Lake County) Near Peak

EAST

Guilford Lake State Park (Columbiana County) Fair
Blue Rock State Park and State Forest (Muskingum County) Fair
Fernwood State Forest (Jefferson County) Fair
Beaver Creek State Park (Columbiana County) Fair
Harrison State Forest (Harrison County) Fair
Salt Fork State Park (Guernsey County) Fair

SOUTHEAST

Lake Hope State Park (Vinton County) Fair
Hocking Hills State Park and State Forest (Hocking County) Fair
Jackson Lake State Park (Jackson County) Near Peak
Burr Oak State Park (Morgan County) Fair
Zaleski State Forest (Vinton County) Fair
Lake Alma State Park (Jackson County) Fair

SOUTHWEST

Shawnee State Park and State Forest (Scioto County) Fair
Paint Creek State Park (Ross County) Near Peak
Caesar Creek State Park and State Nature Preserve (Warren County) Fair
Little Miami State Park (Warren County) Fair
Scioto Trail State Forest (Ross County) Fair

WEST

Kiser Lake State Park (Champaign County) Near Peak
J. Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve (Greene County) Near Peak
Indian Lake State Park (Logan County) Near Peak

NORTHWEST

Van Buren State Park (Hancock County) Near Peak
Mary Jane Thurston State Park (Wood County) Near Peak
Maumee State Forest (Fulton County) Near Peak
Harrison Lake State Park (Fulton County) Near Peak

COLOR CONDITION KEY:GREEN - Still mostly green. FAIR - Beginning to turn colors. NEAR PEAK - Mostly colored. PEAK - Peak colors. FADING - Mostly colored, but fading from peak conditions. LEAF DROP - Few leaves on trees.

Note that reported conditions are subject to rapid change with wind or rain.


© Associated Press and Dispatch Productions, Inc., 2002. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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