by Jeff Berti
Grundy County Conservation Agent
2007 has been a tough year for trees in the Show-Me State. Fall color is going to be patchy as a result. Officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation say the reason is an unusual combination of factors.
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Conservation Department foresters statewide predict a less colorful fall than normal. A catastrophic ice storm that devastated trees across a wide swath of southwest Missouri in January set the stage for bad news for that area of the state.
Trees seemed to get a break with record warm weather statewide in March and responded by leafing out extra early. This worsened the damage they suffered when the temperature plummeted into the 20s and teens for several days in a row early in April. Trees grew leaves to replace the frozen ones, but the new growth did not equal the first crop in many cases.
Next came the floods, which stressed trees in some areas drowning their roots for days or weeks. Then came several weeks of temperatures in the high 90s and low 100s. Drought compounded the damage. All of these events left trees stressed, some fatally.
Fall color normally peaks near the second or third week in October in Missouri. The exact timing depends on location and weather. The peak normally occurs roughly a week earlier in northern Missouri than in the southern part of the state, but unseasonably cold weather can hasten its arrival and departure. Likewise, warm weather can delay and extend the peak.
While the overall fall color outlook is below average, brilliant colors should occur in some areas. Furthermore, the outlook could improve if Missouri experiences warm days and cool nights between now and mid-October.
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The Missouri Department of Conservation will once again hold the annual Poosey Fall Driving Tour through the Poosey Conservation Area on Sunday, Oct. 14, from noon to 4 p.m. This will be the 21st year that the Poosey Conservation Area’s roads have been opened to the public to view the many aspects of conservation management practices. In addition, participants will get an up close look at the assortment of fall color on display.
Various resource management practices will be explained at stops along the nearly seven-mile drive. Find out why the Poosey Conservation area is unique and why it’s called a “conservation area.” Tour stops will highlight the environmental as well as the economic benefits of conservation activities in Missouri.
The tour route will also allow you to drive through the historical community known as Poosey. Many participants come year after year to relive the memories that they have of the area. Although the landscape has changed drastically, a few “old timers” are still able to point out locations where houses, stores and schools once stood. Several stories (some true, most not) will be told and retold as the day goes by.
The roads will be graded and mostly graveled for easy travel, however high clearance vehicles are recommended. The tour route will take approximately one hour to complete without stops. However, you will need to allow for more time if you intend to make stops or take part in any discussions.
Whether you grew up in the area or just want to find out more about Missouri’s conservation management practices, why not come out and enjoy the colors, sights and sounds of the great outdoors at the Poosey Conservation Area. Get there early and plan on spending the afternoon. Make sure to stop and visit with me at the famous Panther’s Den. I hope to see you there!