Peak foliage season brings crowds to local farms

EAST LONGMEADOW, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Western Massachusetts is experiencing peak fall foliage, drawing leaf peepers from across the region and bringing business to local attractions.

First Alert Meteorologist Liam Murphy said the trees are entering dormancy, a process in which cells in the leaves break down and the trees conserve energy for the colder months.

“It’s that time of the year where the trees are starting to go into their dormancy,” Murphy explained. “So, it’s going through a process where the cells and the leaves are breaking down. And it’s also allowing for the trees to conserve energy during the wintertime to allow it to survive the colder months.”

Murphy said mid-to-late October is typically peak color in Western Massachusetts.

“There’s just something about New England foliage that really sets it apart from everywhere else in the country,” Murphy noted.

He said the region is experiencing textbook foliage this fall, in part because of the precipitation this year.

Anthony Maloni, co-owner of The Apple Place in East Longmeadow, said fall is the farm’s busiest time of year. He and his brother have owned the farm for three years.

“Fall for sure, the busiest time of year,” Maloni added. “We’ve got people coming up from Connecticut, a lot from Connecticut. We’re on the border and yeah, I feel like they follow the foliage up.”

The farm has been operating for five decades and includes 35 apple varieties, animals, a children’s playground and a corn maze. This year’s maze theme is “USA 250 Amazing America.”

“We have some of the landmarks, you know, national monuments in the maze. And it’s a pretty good fun time for the family. Open on the weekends. Super popular,” Maloni said.

The fall scenery will not last forever, as the region moves through the foliage season.