Reviews & Comments
Cashiers, NC
When do the leaves change color? -
9/29/2007What is it that we will need in the coming weeks/months to have great color this year? As in any year, lead color change in our deciduous trees is best when days are sunny, nights are cool, no major stormy weather blows through to strip off foliage, and the soil moisture levels are sufficient to keep trees in a healthy condition. At the time when chlorophyll (green pigment) in the tree’s leaves is diminishing and other pigments are coming to view, weather that is cloudy, wet, or warm will slow or hinder this process, and colors may be drab or non-existent.
Freezing weather, winds and storms can take away foliage before the color change is complete. Very warm weather may cause foliage to stay green longer, and extremely dry conditions will hasten the withering or curling of foliage without much color change. All these environmental factors can come and go during the summer months without affecting the fall color, but what is happening during the weeks of chlorophyll shutdown are the factors of importance.
Predicting fall color is essentially predicting which climatic factor will persist or change during the time of mid-September through October, when the color change really begins.
You can check here for updates from September to mid-November for the latest observations - The Foliage Network -
Cashiers, NC
Let's Talk about the Weather-Cashiers, NC -
8/12/2007If you live here you already know this. This is for the Floridians....The town of Cashiers, NC is 3,500 ft above sea level and the high elevation causes a 10-15 degree drop in temperature.
People who have lived here in Cashiers/Highlands NC area a while are used to the "always nice" weather. In fact, its the topic of conversation at most local markets and antique shops. Nice weather! Isn't it just gorgeous today? Why, Yes. Life is good.
Today was the hottest day of the summer and it was a scorching 86 degrees! I heard some complaints about it at the grocery. I actually noticed the humidity in the air for the first time. My hair was about an inch longer today because of it. 86 degrees! That's comparable to November in Florida.
All the heat just pours out and hits you in the face.
The norm here is 70-80 degrees on a summer day. What? my hair looks good? That's exciting for a woman in her late 30's.
For the native Cashiers, NC folks who think it's hot, I just tell them they don't know what hot is until you've lived in Florida. If you've lived there your whole life like I did, then you know you never get used to the heat and humidity. I would always say that when you open the door to your car in August it's like opening your oven door.
Being in the mountains is a whole different experience. If you haven't been here, I promise you won't be disappointed!