Leaves in the Ozarks are already turning bright

GRAVOIS MILLS, Mo. - It’s beginning to look like fall at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Over the past week or two, some leaves have quickly begun their annual color-filled journey to the ground.

In Missouri, Sassafras and Sumac trees are typically the first to produce vibrant colors. This happens in mid to late September. Then, black gum and dogwood trees start to turn before the last group of trees–ash, hickory, maple and oak– put on their full display in early to mid October.

Because of drought stress, some trees are already turning out bright or even brown colors. Leaves are also starting to fall from trees shocked by Missouri’s weather.

The Missouri Department of Conservation predicts the peak for foliage will still be the middle of October.