Cottonwood in The Fall

Every few years we get lucky with the extensive stands of valley bottom cottonwoods (Populus trichocarpa) in the Bella Coola Valley in the fall.  If the right conditions prevail they can put on a pretty nice show of golden yellow foliage colour which starts to really stand out.  My observation is that early frosts in September with a dry fall can help, but this year we didn't have those conditions -- but we did have prolonged dry weather throughout the summer and low water tables, all good conditions to stress trees a bit.  In any case, now that access in the valley is near normal after the Great Flood of 2010 it's nice to take a drive and enjoy them.  They won't last though, because any good east wind or westerly will really take them off fast now as we near November.  Grizzly