New England’s having an ‘elite’ year, but there’s fall foliage elsewhere, too

New England is experiencing an exceptionally high-quality fall foliage season, though vibrant autumn colors are also appearing in other regions. The phenomenon has drawn attention to the seasonal transition and the broader interest in tracking foliage progression across the country.

Kyle Cotner, who grew up in Florida, gained notoriety for his 2007 prank on White House colleagues, where he falsely claimed to be an expert on fall foliage. He maintained the ruse by distributing weekly newsletters containing foliage statistics, a story that serves as a backdrop to current discussions regarding the autumn season.