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In autumn, in preparation for leaf drop, the tree stops making new chlorophyll, and the existing chlorophyll breaks down.
Why Do Leaves Change Color in Autumn? - P2
With the masking green color gone, the bright carotenoid and anthocyanin pigments are able to show through. So the fantastic array of leaf colors that we see in fall are always there, but remain hidden until the changing season allows them to shine through.
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Why Isn’t Fall Color the Same Every Year?
Varying annual weather conditions during spring and summer affect the autumn colors in the fall, so fall leaf colors are a little bit different every year. Temperature and moisture both impact the intensity of the show. The most brilliant colors of fall are produced from a warm wet spring and summer followed by a series of alternating warm days and cool nights.
Page last updated 10/2015
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Japanese maple,
Acer palmatum matsumurae.
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Sources & Resources
- “Why Leaves Change Color”, USDA Forest Service.
- “The Science of Fall Colors”, USDA Forest Service.
- “Why Leaves Change Color”, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
- "Why Do Leaves Change Color?" environmental education for kids from the Wisconsin DNR.
- Fall Colors Arriving, NASA Observatory.
Scenic Time Lapse:
Fall Foliage & Incredible Mountain Views of Asheville, North Carolina.
