Why Leaves Change Color

Was staring outside the window and saw the branches of the trees bare. Was missing those wonderful colors the mixture of red, green, yellow, orange and purple, we admire in fall & also some subtle pinks, whites, blues and purples we appreciate at the advent of spring. Just googled over it and found it to be an interesting read.

Every year people look forward to the colorful display of trees changing color. Although everyone looks for a "PEAK" when the colors are at their best, there is a long season for enjoying the colors. From the last week in September through the middle of November, you can find bright red, yellow, and scarlet foliage somewhere in the Carolinas.

It is a popular misconception that cold and frost cause the tree to change to its autumn color. A quick frost or freeze only serves to shorten the span of a tree's coloration.

The best conditions for a beautiful autumn are just enough moisture and declining but not freezing temperatures. However, the colors are really based on day length.

As the days shorten and the nights get cooler, a chemical clock kicks in and releases a hormone that slows the sap flow to each leaf. Eventually, the leaf is sealed off from the branch and the green chlorophyll fades away to reveal the different chemical pigments that provide such bright colors.

Different species of trees change colors at various times. Dogwoods, maples, sweetguns are the first to show color. Whereas the oaks are the last species to change. Listed below are the colors you can expect from the various species of trees.