Middle school’s maples: Showy, but subdued
October 12, 2025 | Photos by Lisa ScagliottiAlong the Crossett Brook Middle School driveway, Thursday, Oct. 9. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
One of the area’s most popular and usually spectacular autumn foliage sights is the majestic maples that line the driveway at Crossett Brook Middle School in Duxbury. Each October, they put on a fiery show that gives locals and tourists alike reason to stop and snap a few photos to try to capture the iconic image.
This year, the spot is popular and school officials have are putting up orange cones at the end of the driveway during the school day to discourage visitors from entering school grounds while classes, including outdoor recess time, are in session.
Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
But the scene so far is a little subdued, or perhaps just a little late to unfold. While there’s plenty of the showy red maple leaves in their autumn glory, a fair number of the trees are still predominantly green and leaves are dropping fast.
With the hillsides already revealing many trees already bare, the next week ahead should reveal whether more trees join the show or sit out this year’s somewhat-muted drought-stricken foliage season. Although there are impressive displays out there to be enjoyed, it’s evident that the lack of rain this summer and fall has many trees lacking their usual vibrant colors and losing their leaves sooner than expected.
If your travels take you by, check out the middle school maples before most of the leaves are covering the ground. (Be sure to time any visits for when school is not in session.) And if not, enjoy this virtual walk down the driveway.)
Click the images below to enlarge.
