It’ll soon be Fall, y’all!

Picture of changing colors of leaves along Ocmulgee River
Photo Credit to John Belknap

If you can believe it, Halloween decorations are appearing, corn mazes are almost ready, mornings are cooler, and you can order a Pumpkin Spice Latte at your favorite coffee shop … yup, Fall in Forsyth is here!

While we love to savor every last drop of Summer sunshine, it’s time to make plans for the cooler weather with some fun trips to our local state parks and trails. Check out our website for outdoor ideas: VisitForsythGa.com

When planning your Fall road trip to Forsyth —leaves usually start to change in late September around here. You can check what’s going on at the Fall Foliage Map 2025 Georgia: https://www.explorefall.com/states/georgia.html for the best time for leaf peeping.

While you are waiting for the colors to change, but want to indulge in the Fall vibe, here’s some autumn foliage trivia:

Do you know why leaves change color in the fall? Although we notice the leaves change color in the fall, the red, orange, and yellow pigments are present in leaves all year round. The reason these beautiful colors come out in the Fall has to do with the change in sunlight. As the Summer sun starts to come to a close, the chemical chlorophyll breaks down, which brings out the hidden colors. A leaf’s color is typically a result of the species of tree on which it is found.

Why don’t all leaves change colors? As most of us already know, evergreen varieties keep their verdant green colors throughout the year. This is because they don’t have regular leaves. Instead, they have needles, which are just leaves rolled up tightly to conserve water. To prevent the needles from freezing, they’re coated with wax that also protects the chlorophyll, keeping them green year-round.

Do you know the official word for the sound of leaves and trees rustling in the wind? It’s Psithurism, which is pronounced sith-yuh-riz-uhm.

What’s your favorite place to grab a cup, sit back, and listen to the leaves? Share your responses, and don’t forget to follow and like our Facebook and Instagram accounts!