'Peak Autumn Foliage' Expected from Late This Month to Early Next Month... "Timing Delayed by Climate Change"

This year, the peak of the autumn foliage is expected to occur from the end of this month through the beginning of next month. The peak foliage period has been trending later each year due to the effects of climate change.

According to the "2025 Forest Foliage Forecast Map" released by the Korea Forest Service on October 3, the predicted peak dates for different tree species are as follows: ginkgo trees on October 28, oak trees on October 31, and maple trees on November 1.

Provided by the Korea Forest Service

For maple trees, the autumn colors are expected to begin around October 25 in Seoraksan, Gangwon Province, followed by Songnisan (October 27), Gayasan (November 11), and Naejangsan (November 6), in that order.

The peak foliage forecast map was developed using long-term phenological observation data collected through collaboration among the National Arboretum, nine regional public arboretums nationwide, and the National Institute of Forest Science, as well as mountain weather information.

The standard for peak foliage was defined as the point when more than 50% of the leaves of each tree species have changed color.

Analysis showed that this year's peak foliage period is 4 to 5.2 days later than the 10-year average. By species, the peak is delayed by 0.43 days for maple trees, 0.52 days for oak trees, and 0.50 days for ginkgo trees, indicating a consistent trend of later peak foliage each year. Climate change has been identified as the primary factor driving the delay in peak foliage timing.

The Korea Forest Service plans to continue expanding observation sites to improve prediction accuracy and will keep producing and providing information that supports climate change response research and benefits the public.

Shin Hyuntak, head of the Forest Biodiversity Conservation Division at the National Arboretum, stated, "Long-term phenological observation of plants serves as important data for understanding the impact of climate change," adding, "We will strengthen research and monitoring to scientifically analyze these changes, enhance the precision of the foliage forecast map, and provide reliable information."