“Peak Autumn Foliage Late Next Month” Korea Forest Service Releases This Fall’s Foliage Map

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] This year's autumn foliage is predicted to reach its peak around late next month. In some southern regions, it is expected that the autumn leaves can be enjoyed until early November.

On the 27th, the Korea Forest Service released a map predicting the peak timing of autumn foliage in major forest areas across the country.

The foliage map was produced based on data predicting the timing of color change for three main tree species?Korean maple (Dangdanpungnamu), ginkgo (Eunhaengnamu), and sawtooth oak (Singalnamu)?distributed mainly in Korean forests, covering 19 forest areas including Seoraksan, Jirisan, and Hallasan, as well as 9 national and public arboretums by region.

The major forest areas included in the map by region are ▲Gangwon: Seoraksan, Gwangdeoksan, Gangwon Provincial Arboretum ▲Gyeonggi: Hwaaksan, Soribong, Chukryeongsan, Yongmunsan, Surisan, National Arboretum ▲Chungbuk: Songnisan, Midongsan Arboretum ▲Chungnam: Gayasan, Gyeryongsan, Geumgang Arboretum ▲Gyeongbuk: Juwangsan, Palgongsan, Daegu Arboretum ▲Gyeongnam: Jirisan, Geumwonsan, Gyeongnam Arboretum ▲Jeonbuk: Naejangsan, Daea Arboretum ▲Jeonnam: Wolchulsan, Sanghwangbong, Wando Arboretum ▲Jeju Island: Hallasan, Gyorae Gotjawal, Halla Arboretum.

The Korea Forest Service predicts that although the peak timing of autumn foliage may vary slightly depending on the region and tree species, most will reach their peak around late next month. By species, Korean maple is expected to peak on the 28th of next month, sawtooth oak on the 23rd, and ginkgo on the 27th.

The nationwide period when autumn foliage can generally be seen is around the 26th of next month, and in some southern regions, the foliage can be enjoyed until early November, according to the Korea Forest Service.

The foliage prediction is based on the criterion that more than half of the leaves of native species such as Korean maple, sawtooth oak, and ginkgo have changed color.

Kim Yong-gwan, Director of Forest Protection at the Korea Forest Service, said, “As the late heat and typhoons have passed and the full-fledged foliage season is approaching, it is advisable to check foliage prediction information in advance if you are planning autumn hiking. The Korea Forest Service will continue to improve the accuracy of the foliage timing prediction model to enhance its usefulness.”