Why Leaves Change Color In Fall

Autumn orange leaf

Ever Wonder Why Leaves Change Color In Fall?

Every autumn we revel in the beauty of the fall colors. The mixture of red, purple, orange and yellow is the result of chemical processes that take place in the tree as the seasons change from summer to winter.

Fall LeavesDuring the spring and summer the leaves have served as factories where most of the foods necessary for the tree’s growth are manufactured. This food-making process takes place in the leaf in numerous cells containing chlorophyll, which gives the leaf its green color. This extraordinary chemical absorbs from sunlight the energy that is used in transforming carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates, such as sugars and starch.

Along with the green pigment are yellow to orange pigments, carotenes and xanthophyll pigments which, for example, give the orange color to a carrot. Most of the year these colors are masked by great amounts of green coloring.

Chlorophyll Breaks Down

But in the fall, because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor.

At the same time other chemical changes may occur, which form additional colors through the development of red anthocyanin pigments. Some mixtures give rise to the reddish and purplish fall colors of trees such as dogwoods and sumacs, while others give the sugar maple its brilliant orange.

The autumn foliage of some trees show only yellow colors. Others, like many oaks, display mostly browns. All these colors are due to the mixing of varying amounts of the chlorophyll residue and other pigments in the leaf during the fall season.

Other Changes Take Place

As the fall colors appear, other changes are taking place. At the point where the stem of the leaf is attached to the tree, a special layer of cells develops and gradually severs the tissues that support the leaf. At the same time, the tree seals the cut, so that when the leaf is finally blown off by the wind or falls from its own weight, it leaves behind a leaf scar.

Fall LeavesMost of the broad-leaved trees in the North shed their leaves in the fall. However, the dead brown leaves of the oaks and a few other species may stay on the tree until growth starts again in the spring. In the South, where the winters are mild, some of the broad-leaved trees are evergreen; that is, the leaves stay on the trees during winter and keep their green color.

Only Some Trees Lose Leaves

Most of the conifers – pines, spruces, firs, hemlocks, cedars, etc. – are evergreen in both the North and South. The needle- or scale-like leaves remain green or greenish the year round, and individual leaves may stay on for two to four or more years.

Weather Affects Color Intensity

Temperature, light, and water supply have an influence on the degree and the duration of fall color. Low temperatures above freezing will favor anthocyanin formation producing bright reds in maples. However, early frost will weaken the brilliant red color. Rainy and/or overcast days tend to increase the intensity of fall colors. The best time to enjoy the autumn color would be on a clear, dry, and cool (not freezing) day.

Enjoy the color, it only occurs for a brief period each fall.

Text prepared by Carl E. Palm, Jr. …as featured on weather.com

Related Posts:

8 Plants For Winning Fall Color In Your Garden

The 3 Best Things You Can Do For Your Lawn This Fall

199

Allentuck Landscaping Co. is Your Residential Landscape Company

Phone: 301-515-1900 Email: info@allentucklandscaping.com

At Allentuck Landscaping Company, our mission is to create beautiful environments for people to enjoy. We see landscaping as a way to improve people’s lives.

The Allentuck Landscaping Company team has been a leading landscape company in Montgomery County, Maryland for over 28 years with our turnkey approach to landscape design, installation, construction and maintenance. Most companies try to serve many types of customers at the same time; homeowners, shopping centers, office buildings and the list goes on. At Allentuck Landscaping Co., we focus on one customer, you, the homeowner. We have a singular focus on bringing you the best landscape practices, the best customer service, and the best value for your home.

Services Provide – Master Landscape Plans, Complete Maintenance Programs, Plantings, Patios, Walkways, Retaining Walls, Water Features, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Kitchens, Trellises & Pergolas, Irrigation Systems, Drainage Solutions, Grading & Sodding. Fire Pits & Fire Places, Spring Clean Ups, Decks, Fences, Mosquito & Tick Control, Deer Control.

Areas Served – Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, North Potomac, Darnestown, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Damascus, Boyds, Clarksburg, Ijamsville, Urbana, Frederick in Maryland and Washington DC.

Why Now Is the Time to Book Landscape Cleanup & Maintenance Services

In Need of Landscape Cleanup & Maintenance Services? Book Before Calendars Fill As the winter weather begins to thaw, spring is approaching. And while spring may be the time for cleaning your house, the tail end of winter is the best time to book landscape cleanup and maintenance services. Winter leaves behind debris and will typically leave your landscaping and lawn looking a bit ragged. Not only that, but there’s quite a bit of preparation that must be completed to

READ MORE »

5 Essential Elements for an Amazing Outdoor Design

Insights Into How To Create An Amazing Outdoor Design Quality outdoor design can transform your outdoor space into a captivating oasis involves a careful blend of design elements that cater to both aesthetics and functionality. From the warmth of a fire pit to the allure of outdoor lighting, the freshness of greenery, the comfort of shade under a pergola, and the practicality of an outdoor kitchen, these five components can turn any yard into a haven for relaxation and entertainment.

READ MORE »

7 Front Walkway Ideas To Make Your Home More Welcoming

These Front Walkway Ideas Will Make You Glad To Come Home Making your home feel brand new can be as simple as updating the curb appeal. At Allentuck Landscaping, we’ve designed and installed a variety of front walkways over the years, and today we’ve gathered a few of our favorites to showcase. Each walkway features a unique pattern or material combination. We hope these front walkway ideas spark some brilliant ideas inside of you, and, of course, we hope you

READ MORE »

Project Spotlight: Contemporary Outdoor Living Spaces with a Pool

See How the Allentuck Team Transformed This Longtime Client’s Home Over Many Years At Allentuck Landscaping Company, we love nothing more than to bring our client’s ultimate vision to life. This has led to our team putting together numerous beautiful outdoor living spaces, many complete with a pool, fire elements, water features, custom plant installations, and much more. We started our Project Spotlights series to share some of our favorite projects here on our blog—and today’s project is one of

READ MORE »

6 Wonderful Plants For A Deer Resistant Screen

Got deer and need screening? Here is a list of 6 wonderful plants for a deer resistant screen. Whether you’re looking to block off an ugly view, dampen noise pollution, or you simply desire some solitude, sometimes you just need a bit more privacy. There are many natural ways to enclose your property that are both visually pleasing and effective. These 6 plants are great screening options, even if you have deer! Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) A slender, conical conifer

READ MORE »

Why Now Is the Time to Start Your Landscape Design and Construction Project

The Winter Months Are Perfect for Planning Your Landscape Design and Construction Project With January as our coldest month here in the DC Metro, chances are spending time outside is the farthest thing from your mind. What may surprise you, though, is that now is actually a great time to be thinking about landscape design and construction, as the winter months are the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the curve. At Allentuck Landscaping Company, we specialize in developing beautiful,

READ MORE »