Autumn, a season to rejoice through the changing colours of leaves
Although the days are getting shorter, the nights longer and there is an increasing chill in the air as we head relentlessly on towards winter, not to mention the country increasingly locking down again in the face of a pandemic, the changing leaf colour of trees at the moment will hopefully help uplift one’s mood on a sunny day. Leaves of the Acer genus, commonly known as maples, turn a fiery red; while leaves of beech trees become golden, while other trees see their leaves turn yellow or purple.
Why do leaves change colour in autumn before they drop for the winter from deciduous trees and shrubs?
Leaf colour comes from four pigments which are produced by leaf cells to help them produce food for the tree or shrub. These pigments are chlorophyll (green), xanthophylls and carotenes (yellow and orange) and anthocyanins (reds and purples).
Why do leaves turn yellow / orange?
As we head through autumn and the days get cooler and shorter with less sunlight, the production of chlorophyll slows and eventually halts. Chlorophyll still present in the leaf fades as a result, which allows the yellow/orange carotene pigments to be unveiled which aren’t normally seen in spring and summer as they are masked by the green chlorophyll.
Why do some trees turn red?
In some species and then in certain conditions, leaves can turn a vibrant red too. Although xanthophylls and carotenes are present in leaves throughout the growing season, anthocyanins (reds) are not and tend to be manufactured in the leaf in years when lots of sunlight and dry weather have increased the concentration of sugar in tree sap, sugars become trapped in the leaves, triggering the tree to release anthocyanins as the tree prepares to shed them.
However, anthocyanins are only present in around 10% of tree species native to temperature regions, including the UK, northern Europe and North America. Though some areas in these temperature regions, such as New England in the USA, can have a high proportion of these tree species that produce anthocyanins, such as maples which are dominant, hence why New England is famous for its autumn colour displays.
After the leaves all fall off
After the leaves change colour they eventually die and the trees shed their dead leaves because the leaves are no longer able to photosynthesize with lack of sunlight and colder temperatures. By shedding their leaves, trees are able to survive the winter in a dormant state and make room for new growth in the spring.
Trees are good at recycling. The fallen leaves contribute to healthier soil after they fall, through decomposition. Some carbohydrates and sugars remain in the leaves. On the ground and as the leaves decompose, these carbohydrates and sugars give nutrition for ‘feeders’ to flourish. Once fungi and bacteria have begun to break down the leaves, insects feed on them too. The broken down leaves also provide a source of fibre which helps the soil retain moisture and improve drainage.
— to www.netweather.tv
