Autumn Leaves: Harbingers of Changes to Come

Living in the Midwest, we look forward every year to the changing colors of the leaves. Have you ever wondered WHY leaves change colors in the way that they do?

The short answer is: weather. As the days grow shorter, trees stop producing CHLOROPHYLL, which is a chemical that makes leaves green and produces food for the tree during its growing season.

As chlorophyll production slows down, the green color begins to fade. Brilliant reds, oranges and yellows that we look forward to come brilliantly into view.

Those fiery colors were there all along.