Asheville, N.C.

Asheville, North Carolina, is fortunate to have one of the most dramatic displays of fall foliage in the country. Extreme elevations, and more than 100 species of deciduous (leaf shedding) trees, give the Blue Ridge Mountains one of the longest and most vibrant leaf seasons. But what constitutes a great fall color year, and how do experts predict peak times to see color? Scientists are beginning to unravel the mysteries of fall, and what they've discovered may surprise you.