BOONE, N.C. — Howard Neufeld has been studying trees for a very long time. He is a professor at Appalachian State University. 

"[For] 40 years but for fall color, I have been doing that about 15-16 years now," Neufeld said.

His love for the leaves all started with a little curiosity. He wanted to know why some leaves turned red in the winter. That spiraled into a wonder of why leaves turn different colors in the fall and when.

'It's a nice way to do research as part of my working at the university and provide a service to people," Neufeld said.

A service he does by leaving the classroom. Neufeld goes out to the parkway once a week starting in September and tracks the leaves. He goes around taking pictures for his Fall Color Guy Facebook page. He goes out to scout the sourwood and pinpoint the popular.

"I know certain trees will change color and I will check them each week. I will go by and take a picture," Neufeld said.

He may know the trees, but he won't know for sure when they will turn without keeping a close eye. That is because color change depends on several factors like the weather.

"If it's warmer, colors are delayed. [If it's] colder they are on time," Neufeld said.

Some trees turn yellow, others turn red and some even turn purple. A spot he says is important to check is the trail Rough Ridge.

"This has some of the best color right here," Neufeld said.

He says it's some of the best colors because you can see for miles. By doing this, he can track how the colors are doing at different elevations to update the Facebook page.

He anticipates this years leaves to be on time. That means color change can be expected between October 10 and October 20 at elevations between 3,000 to 4,000 feet up high. At higher elevations we will see it earlier. Neufeld says if you miss the peak time in your area, just go to an overlook and look down.

He says these days may change depending on the weather in the next few weeks, so it's important to keep an eye on his Fall Color Guy Facebook page.