and walking in the woods to enjoy peak colors on the Seacoast

Some trees have already turned bright red as summer days have gotten shorter, but that doesn’t mean the fall leaf peeping season will come early this year.

“I don’t think it’s going to peak any earlier than usual,” said Fred Borman, an educator in forest resources at the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.

Some red maples become colorful early in swampy areas, primarily because these trees can’t function properly with their roots in so much water, he said. Water levels are higher than normal this season because of above average rainfall. When the roots can’t get enough oxygen for photosynthesis, they shut down and become dormant for the winter. 

Also, Borman said, some sugar maples have started to change color in places where they are overtopped by higher trees, suppressing growth. The dominant trees, however, have not changed color, and he expects most trees to peak on schedule.   

The normal peak times for fall colors of red, orange and yellow are mid October for the Seacoast, early October for the Lakes Region and late September for the North Country. Deciduous trees, such as maple, oak, birch and aspen, lose their leaves each year after changing color as the production of green chlorophyll slows with the growing season, revealing other pigments.

A succession of warm, sunny days and cool, but not freezing nights tends to bring out the best colors. Bright days increase food production in trees, and these sugars get trapped in the leaves to encourage the production of anthocyanin pigments, providing red tints to fall foliage.

New Hampshire gains about $292 million annually in revenues from “leaf peepers,” according to the state Department of Environmental Services. With gas prices up this year, many people may choose to walk under the bright branches and over the fallen leaves rather than driving a scenic route.

For an aerial view of fall leaves, Borman recommends the fire tower at Pawtuckaway State Park in Nottingham. After a hike of half a mile, people can see all of Rockingham County from the tower. “It’s a really great show in the fall,” he said. From Route 107 between Deerfield and Raymond, take Reservation Road, which leads to a parking lot at the base of South Mountain.

Other fire towers for leaf peeping in the greater Seacoast include one on Blue Job Mountain in Farmington and another on top of Garrison Hill, off Central Avenue in Dover. To get to Blue Job, take Route 202 about 5.4 miles east of its junction with Route 126 in Center Strafford, or 2.8 miles west of its junction with Route 202 near Rochester. Then take Crown Point Road 5.6 miles. Two trails lead a half-mile to the summit.

There’s also a good view from Mt. Agamenticus in York, Maine. The mountain rises in three phases to a height of 692 feet above sea level. Its extensive network of groomed trails is used by both hikers and bikers. Heading north from York on Route 1 toward Ogunquit, turn left on Mountain Road. Travel 1.5 miles to a stop sign, turn right and travel 2.7 miles to Summit Road on the right.

For trails with less of an incline, try Kingman Farm in Madbury, a UNH property, or nearby Wagon Hill Farm in Durham. Kingman Farm is on Route 155, with more than 334 acres of woodland. There is an extensive trail system ideal for mountain biking, hiking or running. Wagon Hill is on Route 4 between Newington and Durham, with walking trails, scenic views, picnic areas and a beach.

For more waterfront views, there’s Odiorne Point State Park in Rye. Odiorne Point has walking trails around more than 335-acres, located three miles south of Portsmouth on Route 1A in Rye.

For the full fall experience, visit a Harvest Festival at Applecrest Farm Orchards at 133 Exeter Road or Route 88 in Hampton Falls on weekends through October. The farm presents live folk and bluegrass music, apple and pumpkin picking, horse-drawn orchard hayrides, a petting zoo, apple pie, old-fashioned hot cider donuts and a farm stand.