October 18th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Maryland Natural Resource foresters are reporting past-peak conditions at high elevations, while farther east leaves are still only starting to change.

Garrett County is experiencing peak foliage this week, with brilliant yellow leaves on shagbark and pignut hickory trees. Continued change along the Catoctin Mountain range has slightly progressed over the past week. At this point about a third of trees have or are in the process of changing. More rain has continued to bring down leaves, but previous drought stress has limited overall color. Most species have revealed some color change.

Western Montgomery County and Carrol County are nearing midpoint, with walnut, spicebush, blackgum, and redbud showing beautiful colors. Baltimore, Howard, Harford and Cecil counties are showing more color but still just changing, though frost and rain has contributed to some leaf fall.

On the Eastern Shore, cooler, shorter days are finally causing the leaves to change.