KEWEENAW COUNTY, MI – Fall color is already popping up in Michigan’s northernmost peninsula.

Before long, the Keweenaw Peninsula will be a bonanza of vibrant orange and red. Peak color could even be a bit early this year, WLUC learned from Carsten Külheim, an associate professor of forest genetics at Michigan Tech University.

Sugar maples in the area began changing color about two weeks ago, in late August, he said. Normally, they don’t begin to turn until mid-September. Some birch and aspen are also showing reds, yellows and oranges a bit early, he added.

Factors that affect when trees begin to change color include the number of daylight hours and how cold it gets at night, Külheim said. Cold nights signal trees to begin the fall color process, and the Keweenaw had plenty of early co

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