For many reasons, 2020 was an unusual year. Among the apocalyptic occurrences of the year was an early frost in late October that turned the leaves of our mulberry dark brown/gray, crunchy, and withered.

Yet, still, the leaves tenaciously clung to the tree for more than a week—through a strong wind—before finally falling on Saturday, Nov. 7, thus proclaiming Niki Tengan as the first three-time oracle.

[Photo courtesy Mike Walker, taken Halloween afternoon]

Predict the Fall Explanation

The tree outside the east door of Brand & Creative (in the University Press Building) is a white mulberry, a species with the unusual habit of retaining its leaves as long as possible. Each autumn those of us who work in the building watch as all the other trees’ leaves turn yellow and red and gradually loose their grip. Meanwhile, the leaves of our mulberry tree stay—for the most part—green and firmly attached.

Then one fateful day we come to work and are greeted by the sound of fall: scores of leaves hitting the ground in rapid succession. For much of one day (maybe two), the spectacle continues as leaves rain down outside Bruce Patrick’s office. Within a day or so, the tree is bare.

In 1997 we began the Predict the Fall contest in which we each attempt to pinpoint the date the leaves will fall. Those who participate enter a quest to become the "Oracle of the Tree" for the coming year.