Unlike some other Toronto parks, Raymore Park isn’t spectacular in the fall. Its vegetation is fairly drab at this time of year because there are few mature red maples and other showy trees. The main splashes of orangey-red come from sumac.

There are still a few splashes of colour on the ground. This birdsfoot trefoil is still flowering close to the ground in mid-October.

Something that has seen a dramatic increase in the last few years is the number of black walnut trees and fruit that support growing numbers of squirrels in the park. Several black walnut trees were planted by the city a few years ago while many just planted themselves thanks to forgetful squirrels. Black walnuts are edible by humans but require an elaborate dehusking and drying process – unlike their better-known cousins. Walnuts are able to poison their surroundings by emitting juglone from their root system. Many plants cannot survive the toxin emitted by its roots. Even the hulls are toxic and must be kept away from horses as they can contaminate bedding made from hay at this time of year.

The husks are green when they fall but juice from these husks will stain hands and clothing.