Foliage Stage in Vancouver

In peak right now:
These trees are shining the brightest right now! They are providing the most intense, saturated colors of the season, marking a glorious temporary peak for their species:

Species	Primary Color at Near Peak	Best Places to Find
Ash Trees	Vibrant Yellow, Orange	Residential streets (e.g., Kitsilano, UBC), City Parks
Red Maple	Deep Scarlet, Fiery Red	Stanley Park Causeway, Queen Elizabeth Park
Katsura Tree	Brilliant Gold, Yellow-Orange	VanDusen Garden, certain city side streets
Sugar Maple	Orange-Red, Yellow-Gold	Major parks and cultivated garden areas
Honey Locust	Clear, Bright Yellow	Downtown streets, False Creek areas
Sweetgum / Liquidambar	Multi-coloured showstoppers! Look for rich blends of gold, deep red, purple, and sometimes black-red leaves on the same tree	Along the paths in Mountain View Cemetery (between 33rd/37th)
Big Leaf Maple	Massive, bright yellow and golden-mustard leaves. Currently shedding, creating impressive carpets of colour	West 10th Avenue (Blenheim to Alma) and Arbutus Greenway
Dogwood	Turning a signature vivid scarlet and deep burgundy. They offer a brilliant contrast to the evergreens	Turning a signature vivid scarlet and deep burgundy. They offer a brilliant contrast to the evergreens

Here are some pictures I took at Mount Pleasant:

Near peak right now:

Species	Primary Color at Near Peak	Best Places to Find
Japanese Maple	Deep Crimson, Ruby Red	Famous in Japanese Gardens (Nitobe, VanDusen) and residential front yards
Cherry Trees	Orange, Yellow-Red	Found more on forest edges and lower mountain trails (e.g., Pacific Spirit Park)
Vine Maple	Orange, Yellow-Red	Found more on forest edges and lower mountain trails (e.g., Pacific Spirit Park)

Where to See the Peak Foliage (Beyond the Big Parks)

While Queen Elizabeth Park and VanDusen are always reliable, for those looking for a more neighbourhood-focused or specific spot to see our in-peak trees, here are some must-visit locations right now:

• The West 10th Avenue Canopy: Forget the famous gardens for a moment and take a walk along West 10th Avenue between Blenheim and Alma Streets. Here, you’ll find a lush canopy of Big Leaf Maple and other towering species creating one of the city’s most impressive golden tunnels.
• Mountain View Cemetery: The stretch of path between 33rd and 37th Avenue within the cemetery is lined with trees that turn a brilliant, fiery red—a beautiful and reflective spot to see the Dogwood and Liquidambar at their best.
• UBC’s Main Mall and TRIUMF Loop: The wide, university boulevards have a majestic East Coast feel as the season peaks. For vivid reds and yellows, head to the areas around the Main Mall and the TRIUMF building, which are spectacularly lined with turning foliage.
• The Arbutus Greenway (South of 41st): Perfect for a bike or walk! This popular off-street path is currently boasting some spectacular leaf displays, particularly on the section south of 41st Avenue where the tree concentration is highest.
• The Sylvia Hotel: For a stunning photo-op of a classic Vancouver landmark, head to the Sylvia Hotel on Beach Avenue. The ivy climbing the side of the historic building transforms into a deep, vibrant scarlet that can’t be missed.
• East Van’s Hidden Gem: Don’t overlook the side streets of East Vancouver. Take a cruise or a stroll along Cambridge Street between Nanaimo and Slocan for a fantastic, neighbourhood-scale view of golden and red leaves.

What’s Next?
With the colour show hitting its magnificent stride, there’s no better time to grab a coffee, layer up, and get out to enjoy Vancouver’s spectacular fall. This peak window doesn’t last long, so use this guide, find your favourite spot, and let us know what magnificent colours you find on your own leaf-peeping adventures! Happy season watching!

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.

1. 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..
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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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