(Photo provided, photo credit: The Morton Arboretum)
(Photo provided, photo credit: The Morton Arboretum)
In Lisle, Illinois, the Morton Arboretum has launched its 2025 weekly Fall Color Report to help visitors track the changing fall foliage colors. Updated every Wednesday through the season on the Arboretum’s website, it provides real-time information about which species are changing. The arboretum said while warm temperatures tend to delay fall color, dry conditions affecting much of the Chicago area can accelerate color changes in drought-sensitive trees. “Because most trees haven’t shut down for fall yet, continuing to water your trees is beneficial,” said said Arboretum Senior Scientist in Forest Ecology Christy Rollinson, Ph.D. “Conditions moving into October will influence timing and intensity – particularly moisture levels as days shorten and nights get colder.”
Currently, early-changing species like Virginia creeper, honey-locust and some maples are creating focal points across the Arboretum, with more species joining the show each week. This week’s (September 24, 2025) report notes early color in exposed areas such as parking lots or sunny areas, with Freeman maples, coffeetrees, tree lilacs, hackberries and redbuds showing early yellows.
“The timing and intensity of fall color are unique to individual trees and species,” said Rollinson. “While other areas may have one brief peak when sugar maples turn, our collections create an extended fall color season that gives visitors more opportunities to see brilliant displays from early October through late October, and beyond into November.” Nearly 4,100 tree and plant species offer opportunities to experience fall color throughout the season across the 1,700-acre site.
