Your 2024 Guide to Fall in Forest Park
The first day of fall has passed, September 22, and the weather has cooled off a bit. But, like many St. Louisians outside daily, Forest Park Forever experts will report minimal autumn coloring in most foliage around the Park.
"It's been dry this season," confirmed Forest Park Forever Ecologist Amy Witt. "Short downpours provide a lot of moisture, but fluctuations in temperature and precipitation will likely impact the intensity and timing of the fall colors."
Fall is Not Only About Colorful Foliage
Autumn is a truly memorable season in Forest Park. One exciting thing happening is the monarchs are back in town. Lepidopterans (moths and butterflies) are out in force. So, pause along the pathways during your next Park visit because you can expect to see caterpillars and developed adults fluttering about.
“Insects are more active on hotter days, so the weather oddities like we have been experiencing can be the best time for sightings.”
This season is best for viewing because many insects are as big and beautiful as they will ever get. Most are in their final instar—the last molt during which they spend the final stages of their life—trying to mate and get the next generation all set before the first cold snap.
Spotted jewelweed
Insects are not the only beings moving through our urban habitat. Birds are migrating along the Mississippi Flyway from September through October. While, technically, more birds will move through Forest Park this season, the timeframe is more extended than spring migration because some species have different destinations, and others, like hummingbirds, migrate in waves.
By late September, adult male hummingbirds have flown south, and in the absence of half the adult population, Kennedy Forest is aflutter with juveniles. Hummingbirds love the jewelweed (touch-me-nots, Impatiens capensis) blooming along the Kennedy Forest Boardwalks. So, with limited adult supervision, juvenile hummingbirds are feasting and partying in the Park’s woodland.
Weather Conditions Affect Forest Park's Pallet
New England asters
Forest Park has experienced diverse weather conditions that could result in a unique display of autumn hues this year. A variety of factors influence foliage cycles. The most significant is precipitation during the growing season and nighttime temperatures in late summer.
About 75 percent of flowering plants that bloom in the Midwest during fall are in the Asteraceae family. A good portion of this genius blooms in the later months, however, fluctuations in the temperature and rainfall this summer caused some wildflowers in the Park to bloom earlier than is typical —like the New England asters in Deer Lake Savanna that started blooming in July rather than August or September. But don’t worry, these bursting purple flowers are still flourishing in that natural area and others like Kennedy Forest Savanna.
Forest Park Forever experts remain hopeful that moisture inconsistencies will not hinder an impressive spread of wildflowers like goldenrods, sunflowers and Drummond's Aster in Forest Park's Nature Reserve.
Last year, thanks to generous support from St. Louisans like you — Forest Park Forever was able to spend over 840 hours watering and managing flora in Forest Park. The pictures below capture some of the beautiful results of that daily work.
Though the Missouri Department of Conservation has not yet updated its fall color report for our region, Forest Park Forever's Conservation Arborist Kendall Wachter has been monitoring the forecast in St. Louis and other areas of the United States. Wachter suspects leaves will change in mid to late October and those colors will likely peak across the Park in early November.
Forest Park Forever's Land Management Team has long watched the Autumn Blaze Maple trees atop the Art Hill promenade and around Pagoda Circle to signal the most anticipated pallet change. However, the Park has over 47,000 trees, and not all will produce red-leaf backdrops.
Lindell Blvd. is expected to showcase a lot of yellow foliage thanks to the abundance of sycamore, tulip, and ginkgo trees. Shakespeare Glen and the path leading to Post-Dispatch Lake will host a quintessential palette of autumn hues thanks to the diverse range of oak, hickory and maple trees.
Though we partner with the City of St. Louis, Forest Park is not part of the Zoo Museum Tax District. Our private nonprofit conservancy depends on donations and member support to maintain picturesque landscapes and sustain welcoming Missouri habitats.
By joining Forest Park Forever as a member or making a one-time or additional gift today, you invest in Forest Park as a great place to enjoy today and for the next generation.