Ever wonder why leaves turn brilliant colors in the fall? Leaves produce chlorophyll (food) during the spring and summer. Also present is something called carotenoids, which produces yellow, orange and red colors. Plants and produce such as carrots, corn and bananas have this in them. Both of these are present in green leaves. As the daylight hours wane, chlorophyll stops being produced until it is completely gone from the leaves.
Anthocyan is what gives blueberries their color along with some other delectables, and is water soluble. They appear in the watery cells of the plants. In the leaves, theyโre produced in the fall because of bright light and excess plant sugars. Since the chlorophyll has been used up and is gone, the carotenoids and anthocyans are revealed and display their colors.
The result are the brilliant reds and oranges you often see in the fall colors! Some tree species will show all of the colors while some such as aspen and yellow poplar are golden yellow while others such as the elms ( we have a LOT of these unfortunately) just shrivel up and grey out with no color.
As I stated yesterday, weather, temperatures, humidity and water content of the soil directly impact the extent of the color change. Thatโs why you can have a beautiful fall ( like we did last year) or have a drab one (like weโre having in the forest this year). No two falls are alike!
I personally, much prefer the brilliant colors to the drab mustard yellows and grey nothings. However, there can still be be a beauty found in all things in nature. Iโll just have to look harder this year!
This tree is a perfect โclimbingโ tree!
Thereโs more information to be found at the National Forestry website.
The day began at church which was awesome as usual! We did some shopping in town and the an afternoon dunk in the hot tub. A relaxing day. ๐
Thatโs gonna be it for today. Take care and have a blessed week ahead! ๐๐๐
๐ฃ๐โ๏ธ๐๐ป๐๐๐๐คฉ๐๐ค๐๐๐๐๐ฅฑ๐ด
John 15:12-13
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
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