Autumn leaves

No matter how many times I read the scientific explanation of why leaves turn colors in the fall, I always come away feeling that science falls short of pure magic when it comes to colored leaves.

Walking through autumn woods reminds me of being in an ice cream shop with an endless variety of flavors.  All the colors are there – tangerine, black cherry, lemon, mango, peppermint, milk chocolate.  And each leaf, with it’s unique color and shade, is a delight for those of us who love the woods.

Even though I often prefer magic to science, it IS nice to have a reason for why all this occurs.  It’s not exactly complicated science.

Green leaves get their color from chlorophyll.  Chlorophyll LOVES warmth and light so it can do its job of absorbing sunlight and transforming carbon dioxide and water into sugars and starch that provide nutrients for the tree.  When the days get shorter and cooler,  deciduous trees stop growing and become somewhat dormant, meaning they no longer need these nutrients.  Chlorophyll begins to break down and disappear from leaves.  Without this green pigment, the “true colors” of the leaves begin to show – generally yellows and oranges (from carotenoids).  Leaves that turn red have additional pigments called anthocyanins, which only begin to develop in the fall

Scientists say that the best fall color occurs when there is a warm, wet spring, a summer that is neither too hot nor too dry and a fall that is long with warm days and cool – but not freezing – nights.

We’re not having a particularly spectacular leaf season this year, probably due to prolonged warm weather, but it doesn’t matter.  Individual trees are catching fire and turning into molten plumes of glory and the woods become cathedrals with colors that outshine the most beautiful stained glass windows in the world.  Do yourself a favor, take a walk through the woods this fall and celebrate the wonder of nature.