Maine forests still largely green as foliage reports begin

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 11, 2026

Maine began its annual fall foliage reporting season Sept. 9, but forests across the state remain overwhelmingly green. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry rated both color change and leaf drop as “very low” in all seven foliage zones. Maine Forest Service experts expect color to develop along its typical progression from north to south, with trees at higher elevations generally changing before those at lower elevations. “Even though this summer’s lack of rain may dull the colors and shorten the season in some areas, Maine should still have beautiful fall colors across the state, especially in the western mountains, which have received a good amount of rain,” state foliage spokesperson Gale Ross said.