STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
A record hot July in Idaho and extreme drought left many Sun Valley-area residents wondering how it would affect this year’s fall foliage.
It hasn’t disappointed. Hikers, bikers, fishermen and Sunday drivers are being treated to some beauties when it comes to displays of reds, oranges and yellows.
That said, it seems to be going a little faster than usual so get out while the getting’s good.
Local arborists say that a lack of the rain can cause some trees, such as maples and birches, to go into survival mode. This causes them to shut down early, their leaves turning brown and falling off before they reach peak color. Or, it’ll cause them to display colors only briefly.
That said, if the drought is mild or if there was plenty of rain the year before, the colors may actually be more vibrant.