ST. LOUIS — While fall foliage has peaked in some parts of Missouri, trees in the St. Louis area are just starting to reach their peak this fall. 

Leaves of hickory trees have started to turn orange and yellow, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Folks will find bright red and yellow-orange colored leaves on red and sugar maple trees.

Surviving ashes are showing “some of the brightest and richest color,” according to MCD. 

Other trees displaying color are sassafras, Virginia creeper, dogwoods, sumacs, buckeye, black gum (black tupelo) and some sweet gums.

Black walnut and honey locust trees have already lost most of their leaves as they are some of the earliest changers, according to the MDC.

St. Louisans should keep an eye on oak trees as they are expected to turn colors soon.

For best views of fall foliage while driving, the MDC recommends Missouri Routes 19, 79 and 94. To see leaf colors while hiking, people can visit Castlewood and Don Robinson state parks and Weldon Spring Conservation Area. 

Trees at Tower Grove Park and Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum also produce a variety of color, according to MCD.

The MCD says peak fall color happens in mid-October when maple, ash, hickory and oak trees are at the height of their fall display.

By late October, colors start to fade as leaves drop from the trees. Fall color is finished by the middle of November, according to MDC.

The earliest to change color are sassafras, sumac and Virginia creeper, which begin in mid-September. Black gum, bittersweet and dogwood start turning by late September.

“The progression of color change usually starts earliest in northern and western Missouri and moves southward and eastward across the state,” according to MDC.

Predicting the peak of fall color can be difficult as it depends on weather during fall and also during the entire growing season.

Missourians can enjoy fall colors anywhere. MDC says to choose routes along rivers with views of forested bluffs and along ridges with scenes of forested landscapes.

Folks also can drive on back roads, take a hike or a float trip under a forest canopy on a clear blue-sky day to view turning leaves.

View colorful leaves in places with mature trees such as older neighborhoods, parks and cemeteries

For more places to view fall foliage, visit MDC Conservation Areas and Missouri State Parks.