Colors

I’m so glad I live in a place where the seasons change.  Each season has its own beauty but autumn is my favorite.  Watching the chlorophyll drain from the leaves can be glorious.

Chlorophyll is the chemical that gives the leaf its green color.  It takes sunlight and water and makes sap for the tree to use as food.  The by-product of this is oxygen which is released through the leaves.  Photosynthesis is the science name of this complete process.

When the nights begin to cool and the days shorten.  The chlorophyll drains from the leaves.  The green color of chlorophyll is replaced by the brilliant reds, oranges, and browns of the autumn season.

Of course the glorious colors depends on the weather. A dry summer will wilt the leaves early some times without changing colors.  Wind storms in early autumn will cause the leaves to drop, before full color can be reached.

But when the conditions are right.  The colors are beyond words.

Pack out what you pack in.

 

Sources:

            Trees of the United States and Canada, World Book, Inc. Chicago, IL Anova Books Company © 2007.

            Trees are Terrific!  National Wildlife Federation, Chelsea House Publishers, © 1999