Hopkins, Extension bulletin cited in BDN article on fall foliage
Kathy Hopkins, University of Maine Cooperative Extension educator, was quoted in the Bangor Daily News article “Fall foliage expected to be at peak color this weekend in Maine.” Fall foliage in Maine is predicted to reach its peak, when 70–100% of leaves have changed color, on Oct. 12 and 13, according to the article. “Things that promote good leaf color are a balance of warm, sunny days and plenty of rain, and cold nights — but not below freezing,” said Hopkins. “The whole process is weather dependent.” Color change in leaves is a chemical transformation that occurs when decreasing day length and temperatures cause them to stop producing green chlorophyll, according to a UMaine Cooperative Extension bulletin. The remaining chlorophyll breaks down and the green pigment disappears to reveal yellow and orange pigments already existing in the leaves, the article states. WGME (Channel 13) carried the BDN report.