As peak leaf-peeping season approaches, we wanted to connect with an expert at UMD to discuss what to expect for this year’s colorful season of change.

We spoke with University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) leaf expert Jessica Savage to learn how 2025 weather trends may impact this fall season, learn about what’s going on behind the scenes, and to help plan for prime leaf-peeping.

Fall Color Q&A with Jessica Savage, PhD

Q: How will this year’s weather impact this year's leaf season?
A: “In 2025, we had a wet summer and a cool start to autumn. That type of weather bodes well for the fall foliage. In dry years, some trees can change prematurely and drop their leaves quickly. In warm years, we might not have as vibrant colors. This year, we do not seem to have either of these problems, which means the foliage should be beautiful.”

Q: When can we expect leaves to peak this year?
A: “Fall foliage in Duluth tends to peak in the middle of October, but the exact timing is tied to the weather. There are some great resources, like the Minnesota DNR’s Fall Color Finder, that can provide folks with an idea of when we’ll expect peak color in a given area.”

Q: What's your favorite thing about leaf season?
A: “Fall really excites me because it is one of the times of year when we get to see plant physiology in action. Unlike us, trees cannot go inside in the winter and need to prepare for the cold temperatures to come. Leaf color change and leaf drop is part of this acclimation process and a visible sign of changes that are happening inside the plants. If you really love watching the seasons change, we are always looking for volunteers who want to participate in our community science program, Nature’s Timekeepers. Our volunteers monitor trees and shrubs along our nature trails throughout the year to record when important changes like bud burst and leaf color change happen. You can help us better understand how Lake Superior and the climate shape coastal forests!”

Q: Any advice for leaf-peepers?
A: “The Arrowhead region is a great place to look for fall foliage because there is a large window when you can see color change across the landscape. Peak season changes depending on how close you are to Lake Superior and where you are along the shoreline. This means if where you are hasn't hit peak season yet, you can often move a short distance to find a bigger display. I also think it is always great to look a little more closely at plants when you are outside in the fall. It is not just the trees that have brilliant foliage. Some of our shrubs like sumac and some of the vines have vibrant red leaves.”

About Jessica Savage

Jessica Savage, PhD, is an associate professor & associate department head in the Swenson College of Science and Engineering at UMD. Her research explores the physiological-basis of how plants interact with their environment, and how these interactions impact broader patterns in plant ecology. She has conducted research examining many aspects of plant stress tolerance and more recently investigated the role of the plant vascular system, specifically the phloem, in determining patterns of plant growth and reproduction. Her research spans the fields of plant physiology and ecology, and she has studied a variety of plant species from willows (Salix) to giant pumpkins (Cucurbita maxima). She has recently been examining how seasonal changes in the vascular system of plants impact the timing of flowering and leaf out in the spring to better understand the physiological basis of plant phenology and seasonality, two factors that are critical in understanding species current and future geographic distributions.

Contact: 

Email: [email protected]   
Phone: 218-726-8122 

Related publications

You can find more on her laboratory page as well as some of her work highlighted by the Smithsonian.