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Could the ongoing drought impact the upcoming fall foliage in Connecticut?

Some trees are stressed because of the lack of rain and may begin shutting down early. This could mean a longer foliage season, instead of one big burst of color.

HARTFORD, Conn. — It's been a summer of sunshine, but at least there's been a little rain recently.

Some have seen a decent amount, while others haven't had much at all.

Perhaps you've noticed leaves on some trees are starting to turn already. You can thank the ongoing drought for that.

"This year I would not be surprised to see trees turning color in the next couple weeks if not now," Chris Martin, the forestry director for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, told FOX61 News, adding "what at we’ll miss this year is everything turning at once."

RELATED: 'They're on their own to survive': Future uncertain for apple picking as drought continues

There are three main drivers of color change: the loss of daylight, overnight low temperatures, and precipitation, which is the driving force for some leaves to change at this point in the year. Some trees are going to go dormant early.

"In a wet year like last year, we saw peak occurring in many locations kind of all at the same. This year it’s definitely going to be more dragged out," Martin said.

Some trees will turn early, especially the birches.

Thomas Worthley, associate extension professor at UConn, said if we do get any moisture in the fall, the oaks and hickories could help extend the season.

"They will hang on to their leaves for a longer period of time, and they'll eventually develop those red colors that we associate with oak and hickory," Worthley said, adding: "The growth ring the tree adds this year will be smaller than in other years when there’s been plenty of moisture."

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Certain colors may be more vibrant this year, red in particular. The compounds that create the red colors tend to produce in "greater quantities" in drier seasons, according to Worthley.

"We may actually see some brighter reds than we are used to and that would be a positive."

Credit: FOX61

RELATED: Local landscaping crews see revenue drop due to worsening drought conditions

In an average season, peak foliage occurs in early October in the northwest and northeast hills.

It often takes until Halloween or later for the color to peak at the shoreline.

However, this year may be tougher to pin a peak date, if the color does indeed get spread out over several weeks.

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