Virginia’s second fall foliage report of 2025 shows minimal changes in most areas

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Forestry's week 2 fall foliage report for 2025 has arrived, with most of the state seeing minimal fall colors, and some areas seeing patchy or partial fall colors.

The fall foliage report's second week was released on Thursday, Oct. 2, with most of the state seeing minimal fall colors, and some areas showing patchy to partial changes.

Central and northern Virginia are seeing slight fall shades in some areas, eastern Virginia is still mostly seeing summery green shades, according to the department. There, the edges of swamps will be the first places to show a change.

(Courtesy of the Virginia Department of Forestry)

The department advised those looking to see more color to head to a city, as urban trees often live under stress and change color before their rural cousins.

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"Early species to watch include yellow-poplar, black walnut, and sweet birch for yellow; sassafras and an occasional sugar maple for orange; sumac, Virginia creeper, black gum, dogwood, and a few early maples for red.," the department advised.

(Photo: Virginia Department of Forestry)

(Photo: Virginia Department of Forestry)

(Photo: Virginia Department of Forestry)

Some parts of the Cumberland Plateau, Alleghenies, and higher elevations of the southern Blue Ridge have as much as 30% color change in spots.

"Aspect (the direction a slope faces) and microclimate features can make the difference between a green slope and a patchwork one at this time of year," the department added.