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Leaf peeping

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Fall foliage seen on thousands of trees in Vermont
Leaf peeping is a popular autumn activity in New England.

Leaf peeping is a term that originates from the United States for the activity in which people travel to observe and photograph the fall foliage in autumn.

Definition

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The term leaf peeping is commonly referred to as an activity in which people travel to view and photograph the fall foliage during autumn, when leaves change colors.[1] The term originates from the United States.[2][3] According to the Oxford English Dictionary, its first usage appeared in 1966 in the Bennington Banner newspaper.[4][5] Leaf peeping is alternatively known as fall color tourism.[6]

In Finland, ruskaretki is an activity in which people travel to see fall foliage, while in Japan, a similar activity to leaf peeping is known as momijigari (hunting autumn/red leaves) and kōyō.[1][2] In South Korea, leaf peeping is known as dan pung ku gyeong and in China it is known as shangye.[2]

History

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Japan

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Fall foliage in Japan usually occurs from late October to early December.[7] Canadian blogger La Carmina wrote that leaf peeping in Japan has been a tradition since the Heian period. She has listed Tōfuku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Japanese Alps, and Daisetsuzan National Park as popular leaf peeping locations.[8] The National Geographic covered a story about leaf peeping in Kyoto in September 2023.[9]

United Kingdom

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According to naturalist Ed Drewitt, the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire is a popular tourist spot for leaf peeping. He noted that during autumn, the leaves become "burnt brown/orange" in the region.[3] Writing for British Vogue, Hayley Maitland listed Winkworth Arboretum, Cliveden, Stourhead, and Ashdown Forest as popular locations for leaf peeping in the London area.[10]

United States

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Fall foliage in the United States occurs from September to early November, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.[11] Prominent leaf peeping locations in the United States are in New England and New York.[12][13] The Appalachian Mountains in New England particularly have temperate forests.[2]

The National Park Service claims that leaf peeping is one of the most popular autumn activities,[1] while in New England its popularity is mainly attributed to forests being in close proximity to locations with high population.[6] Considered a niche market, leaf peeping tourism has affected the economy of the United States, particularly the states in New England and New York,[14] with New England states receiving approximately US$8,000,000,000 annually in revenue from tourist activities.[6] The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development also reported that the state receives approximately US$600,000,000 from leaf peeping tourist activities,[15] an increase from US$332,000,000 in 2009. New England state governments have promoted leaf peeping tourism,[6] and have also competed by launching advertisements targeted at tourists and offering low-cost lodging in hotels and inns.[16][17]

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation introduced viewfinders for red-green colorblind people at its state parks in 2024 to allow them to leaf peep the foliage. Ethan Howes, a red-green colorblind Natural Tunnel State Park ranger, created the plan after being inspired by viewfinders in Tennessee,[18] which were installed in 2017 at the Great Smoky Mountains.[19] The New York Times reported that similar viewfinders for leaf peeping were introduced at locations in Georgia, Florida, and Oregon.[18]

Climate change and weather occurrences, such as wildfires and floods, have negatively impacted leaf peeping activities due to leaves withering early and pests increasing in quantity.[12][20][21] Hurricanes have also had an impact on leaf peeping activities by harming trees. Patrick Whittle of Associated Press wrote that a potential decrease in leaf peeping tourism could in return leave an impact on the economy of New England states.[12] Leaf peeping tourists in Vermont were criticized by locals due to trespassing private property and jamming the traffic.[22]

Other countries

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Leaf peeping activities were popularized in other countries, including Ireland, such as around Lough Eske.[23]

Reception

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Journalist Devin Gordon of GQ criticized the term leaf peeping, saying that it sounds filthy and humiliating, "like I've never seen red or yellow before."[24] Writing for NPR, biologist David George Haskell considers the term peep inappropriate in regards to fall foliage due to its definition and peep shows. He proposed leaf wonder or autumnal awe as replacement terms.[2]

Author and professor Heather Sellers considers the activity to be "goofy, overblown, and depressing".[25]

References

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Bibliography

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  • Kyne, Amanda; Diver, Kim (2012). "Climate Change and Autumn Colors in New England's Forests". The Northeastern Geographer. 4. Wesleyan University: 34–53.
  • Sellers, Heather (Summer 2012). "Sheltered: Finding Home Through the Art of Mary Brodbeck". The Georgia Review. 66 (2): 292–303. ISSN 0016-8386.
  • Withiam, Glenn (December 1997). "'Tween Time in the Adirondacks". Cornell Hospitality Quarterly. 38 (6): 80. doi:10.1177/001088049703800623. ISSN 1938-9655.

News articles

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ a b c Devarakonda 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Haskell 2017.
  3. ^ a b Lillywhite & Simpson 2024.
  4. ^ Oxford English Dictionary 2024.
  5. ^ Raftery 1966.
  6. ^ a b c d Kyne & Diver 2012, p. 46.
  7. ^ Chee Wah 2024.
  8. ^ La Carmina 2023.
  9. ^ Taylor 2023.
  10. ^ Maitland 2024.
  11. ^ Rice & Loehrke 2024.
  12. ^ a b c Whittle 2021.
  13. ^ Withiam 1997.
  14. ^ Whittle 2024.
  15. ^ Cunningham 2024.
  16. ^ Gianatasio 1998.
  17. ^ Lee 2009.
  18. ^ a b Lindner 2024.
  19. ^ Mattise 2017.
  20. ^ Perry, Casey & Whittle 2024.
  21. ^ Rice 2024.
  22. ^ Sachs, Sampson & Closson 2024.
  23. ^ Vora 2018.
  24. ^ Gordon 2017.
  25. ^ Sellers 2012, p. 296.
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