🍂 Why do leaves change color in the fall?

In the fall, leaves change color because they are getting ready to take a long nap! 🌳💤 Trees stop making food, and the green color (called chlorophyll) goes away. Then, we see beautiful colors like yellow, orange, and red! 🍁

It's like the trees are putting on a colorful show before winter comes. 🎨

Leaves change color in the fall because of sunlight and chemicals inside them! 🌞🍃 During summer, leaves are green because of chlorophyll, which helps trees make food. But in autumn, days get shorter, and trees stop making chlorophyll.

When the green fades, other colors like yellow (xanthophyll) and orange (carotene) show up! Red and purple colors come from sugars trapped in the leaves. 🍂

Leaves change color in the fall due to a mix of chemistry and environmental changes! 🧪🍁 Here’s how it works:

1. Chlorophyll Breakdown: Trees stop producing chlorophyll (the green pigment for photosynthesis) as daylight decreases. This reveals other pigments already in the leaves.

2. Pigments at Work:

• Carotenoids (yellow/orange) are always there but hidden by chlorophyll.
• Anthocyanins (red/purple) form from sugars in cool, sunny autumn days.

3. Weather Matters: Bright, chilly days and cool nights create the brightest reds! 🎨