…at least compared to, say, that of New England fame or something. It seems like we get a few red, yellow, and orange leaves, but the vast majority of stuff just kind of turns brown. Is it just a difference in what types of trees are most common from place to place? (I’m in Ohio, by the way.)
Partly it is the trees. Varieties offer dazzling range of color. Additionally, the trees in NE tend to change together, because the cold weather is more sudden, as NE is far enough north to dodge most warm fronts. As the air and soil temps drop, and the daylight shortens, the trees are prompted to drop their leaves.
Because it’s not time yet for you: http://www.weather.com/maps/activity/fallfoliage/index_large.html
The variety of tree species and subspecies varies. It’s really just that simple.
Also, I think the rolling landscapes of New England probably add something to the overall impression.
Mostly though, the grass is always greener, yadda yadda.
It absolutely is not just casual observation and ‘grass is greener’ syndrome. ** It is the types of trees and the nature of the forests, the climate and the soils. ** The forests of upper NE are disctinctly different than even those from lower NE and much different than mid-Atlantic states. By the time you get to Ohio, the quality of everything is much askew from the typical NE forests.
On moist soils throughout the northeast, the most predominant trees are maple , birch, beech and hemlock . Basswood-- Tilia–is also common. The loss of chlorophyll and the emergence of carotenes and xanthophylls in the leaves of deciduous trees create spectacular displays of fall foliage coloration. This is especially true in the Mid-Atlantic and New England states. The occurrance of trees with large canopies in a forested area is an indication that the trees are older than the rest of the forest. They developed in an unforested area, and the forest has grown around them.
There is a natural dividing line between the northern and southern New England regions. Oak forest covers most of the southern three New England states. The northern hardwood forest covers most of the northern three New England states. In the northern hardwood forest white birch, and the hemlock are common. In the southern oak forest white birch and hemlock grow only on cool north slopes. There are varying types of ground cover and shrubs from southern to northern New England. The zones of intermingling vegetation between northern and southern New England are narrow where there is an elevation change, and wide in the absence of one. The three southern New England states have a relatively warmer climate than the northern three states.
The soils are richer in upper NE, the elevation changes and the rapid loss of chlorophyl are more typical as well in the old forest, varying elevations and different climates. Essentially, even the southern part of NE is not as good as New England’s best up north. … The dividing line is that distinct.
The MidAtlantic states are the closest you might get to the upper NE states. By the time ypu get to Ohio, y’aint even in the big leagues for forestry, soil, variety, age, elevations, climate, temps, or rainfall.
When it comes to human-preferred fall colors, NE kicks ass for some very scientific reasons.
and, then, of course, there’s the additional factor of weather conditions that vary from year to year. Clearly, Philster’s tome covers the general factors, but rainfall at various times of the year - particularly in the fall - temperatures, both day and night, and probably other variables also affect each season’s displays. Here in the midwest, where we occasionally have truly spectacular displays, we appear to be in for a relatively ho-hum change this year. In Chicago, we’re used to saying, “Wait until next year,” for reasons that sometimes don’t even relate to the Cubs. xo C.
While I have never seen a New England autumn (something Mrs G is determined to fix), I do remember the Mad River Valley autumns of my childhood as pretty spectacular. Now I live along the Upper Mississippi where the hills and bluffs go all crimson and scarlet and yellow ochre for a week or ten days. As picturesque as Northeast Iowa can be it doesn’t hold a candle to the splendor of the Bristol Ridge and the Mac-o-chee Creek bluffs from West Liberty to Zanesfield when the color comes on. PigBoy, just climb in your car and drive north on old state highway 68 to Logan County and you will see sights that will match New Hampshire in its driest year.
Stop at the Betty Zane Café in West Liberty and say hello from an exile to the old, pot bellied, bald geezers who hang out in there.
I’ll keep your advice in mind when I am bored on upcoming weekends. 
Thanks for the replies, everyone.