Experts say fall colors will be worth the wait this year

MINNEAPOLIS — School is back and session and fall activities are back in full swing, but most Minnesota trees haven't turned autumn hues yet.

"I love it. I just moved here form Las Vegas, so it's a huge change, but I'm obsessed with it," Jessica Shearin said.

While it's not quite sweater weather yet, new Minnesotans, like Shearin, feel the autumn anticipation building.

"Somebody was telling me when the leaves change it's really pretty, so I'm ready for that," she said.

Right now, brilliant reds and vibrant yellows are no where to be found in downtown Minneapolis — but tree experts, like Davey Tree Company arborist and general manager Tyler Hesseltine, say it will be worth the wait this year.

"The recipe that we have cooking so far, which is a good growing season, and bright, sunny days in September, October, we are going to have a really good fall showing," he said.

A good showing, thanks to a chemical break down in the leaves that starts happening during the cooler, darker season. This year, depending on the tree species, there's the right ingredients to make the colors burst.

"We had ample rainfall this season and the projected forecast is dry and sunny," Hesseltine said. "So, I would expect that we are going to see some really exceptional sugar maples expressed this season."

Hesseltine says to keep an eye on maple and oak trees, but aspens might not be as pronounced this year.

"The vibrancy or the fullness of the colors on the major scenic by ways is going to be really good," he said.

Check out where and when you can see the best fall colors here.