October 3, 2025

October has arrived, and with the cold, crisp air finally settling across the region, lower temperatures are already pushing color change. We are now seeing the first significant progress in many areas across the city.

The hot and dry weather that marked the end of September had stalled foliage progression, leaving many trees stubbornly green. This delay occurred because the unseasonably warm nights prevented the crucial chemical process needed for vibrant color. The leaves require cool, crisp nights to slow the breakdown of chlorophyll and trap sugars in the leaves; these trapped sugars are what fuel the creation of brilliant red and orange pigments. The recent heat kept this essential mechanism from initiating.

Fortunately, the current shift to a sustained cooler and wetter pattern provides the perfect catalyst. With lower temperatures and much-needed moisture replenishing the trees, they will rapidly shed their green and reveal the brilliant colors hidden within. We anticipate a major leap in vibrancy and color saturation across the city and surrounding areas over the coming days, marking the true start of Vancouver’s magnificent autumn show.

Foliage Stage in Vancouver

October has arrived, and with the recent shift to cooler, damper weather, Vancouver’s foliage is making significant strides this week. The initial delay caused by September’s heat is over, and the colors are now rapidly deepening across the region, bringing a vibrant layer to our urban landscape

Here’s a snapshot of the current foliage stage in Vancouver’s key trees as of early October:

Japanese Maples: Approaching mid-peak, these iconic trees are 40-50% changed, showing brilliant crimson and deep orange.
Vine Maples: A regional favorite, these are at a beautiful 50% changed, with fiery reds and oranges dominating.
Dogwoods: The leaves are actively changing, moving from green to rich burgundy and red tones.
Garry Oaks: These are still green, indicating they will be one of the last species to contribute their golden color to the season.
Bigleaf Maple: Our native giants are at 20-30% changed, starting their transition to a classic golden yellow.
Cherry Trees: Leaves are actively changing, offering a mix of yellow and reddish-brown hues.
Honey Locust: They are in peak color, displaying a striking, uniform bright yellow.

Here are some pictures I took at Fort Langley:

Vancouver’s Maple Trees

Maples are the heart of Vancouver’s fall foliage, painting the city in vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds. But with so many types, it can be tough to tell them apart. Knowing which is which can make your next walk even more rewarding.

Here’s a simple guide to identifying some of Vancouver’s most common maples.

Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)

Key Feature: The largest leaves of any maple in the world. They are typically the size of a dinner plate.
Appearance: Leaves have 5 lobes with deep, rounded sinuses between them. The tree is native to the Pacific Northwest and grows to a massive size.
Fall Color: A striking, uniform golden yellow.

Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)

Key Feature: Small, delicate leaves and a multi-stemmed, shrub-like growth habit.
Appearance: The leaves have 7 to 9 lobes and resemble a small fan. The tree often grows in dense clumps or twists around other trees, giving it a “vine-like” appearance.
Fall Color: Fiery reds and oranges.

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

Key Feature: The leaves are deeply cut with 5 to 9 finely toothed lobes, creating a star-like shape.
Appearance: These are popular ornamental trees, often small and shrubby with a delicate, graceful form.
Fall Color: Known for their dramatic, brilliant crimson, burgundy, or deep red.

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)

Key Feature: A milky, white sap drips from the stem when a leaf is pulled from a twig. The leaves are also wider than they are long.
Appearance: A common street tree. The leaves have 5 to 7 pointed lobes.
Fall Color: Most varieties turn a clear, bright yellow.

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Key Feature: The leaves are typically 3-lobed (sometimes 5-lobed) with serrated edges and a reddish stem.
Appearance: A medium-sized tree with a rounded crown.
Fall Color: Known for their brilliant scarlet and orange-red foliage.

The next time you’re out, take a closer look and see if you can spot the difference!

Foliage in Canada

Deciding where and especially where to go and watch the foliage in peak color can be a struggle.
However, there are many sources that can help you make a better decision.

Ontario Parks – This is the official Ontario Parks fall color tracker. It provides real-time reports on leaf color changes and peak viewing times across all provincial parks in Ontario. The site includes dominant colors, leaf fall percentages, and recommended viewing spots for each park. It’s a go-to resource for “leaf peepers” in the region..
Almanac – The Almanac’s Fall Foliage Map is an interactive tool that tracks and predicts peak fall colors across the United States. It provides estimated peak dates and offers tips for viewing the best autumn displays.
Quebec – Bonjour Québec’s website provides a real-time, color-coded map to track the progression of fall foliage across the province. It is an excellent resource for planning a trip to see the autumn colors in Quebec.
New Brunswick – The Tourism New Brunswick website offers a fall foliage guide, suggesting scenic road trips and highlighting that peak colors occur in late September and early October, with a variation between the northern and southern regions.

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