![]() Oregon has four alders - the red alder, white alder and the more shrubby Sitka and thin leaf alders. The leaves turn an orange to brown hue and often cling to the branches until new buds push them off in the spring. Tolerant to both fire and flooding, this sturdy tree populated the Willamette Valley as oak savannas. The Oregon white oak (Garry oak) is a common deciduous in Oregon that is native to the west coast. In addition to the native trees, there are a variety of other ornamental dogwoods that have been planted across the state. Leaves turn red and burgundy and start to drop in the fall. Dogwoods are distinctive for their white or pink leaves that surround their flowers. The Pacific dogwood and the Western dogwood (a shrub) are native to the Pacific Northwest. Beautiful but invasive ornamental maples include the Norway maple, Sycamore maple and Japanese maples. There are nine other maples native to the Pacific Northwest that can be spotted here too. The Rocky Mountain maple is more spindly and its leaves change from light green to reddish-orange. The vine maples are a smaller, bushy tree with leaves that individually change from bright green to varying hues of red. ![]() These trees can live for as long as 300 years. The big leaf maple has large leaves that turn gold and yellow. There are three maples native to Oregon-the big leaf maple, the vine maple and the Rocky Mountain maple. Common trees you will spot include: Maples (yellow and red) The Pacific Northwest has a variety of robust fall favorites, all set against a stunning backdrop of evergreens, old growth forest, stark black lava rock, rugged coastline and golden valleys. For maximum unfurling, start in the Mount Hood area or the Gorge and gradually travel southwest, perhaps passing through Eugene and ending in Florence. The total show of color typically lasts two to three weeks depending on weather patterns. ![]() However don't forget to keep in mind that regions to the north get cooler first, so the wave of fall color will sweep down, from both north to south and high to low. The valley towns and the communities at sea level along the Oregon Coast like Coos Bay, Florence and Seaside, will be some of the last areas to peak. Much of the eastern part of Oregon is high desert while the Willamette Valley - home to Eugene, Portland and Salem - is lower elevation. Trees at higher elevations change first, so you'll note that the Cascades, Bend and the coastal range will start showing the signs of fall first. Touring during the second week of October is probably your best bet, but if catching leaves at their prime is important to you - you may wish to keep tabs on changes by calling local visitor centers for color updates and preparing for a spontaneous visit. Oregon's peak color is mid-October, sometimes starting with a golden blush in the first weeks of September and sometimes lingering with bright red leaves clinging onto skeleton branches into early November. When and Where do Leaves Change Color in Oregon?
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