Do you know why leaves change?

When fall rolls around, trees start showing off with bright colors reds, oranges, yellows, even purples. It’s a beautiful sight, but what’s really going on? And should we be worried?

What Makes Leaves Change Color?

During spring and summer, leaves are green because of something called chlorophyll that’s what helps trees make food from sunlight.

But in the fall, there’s less sunlight and the weather gets cooler. The trees start to shut down their food-making process, and the green color fades away. That’s when the other colors like yellow, orange, and red start to show up. These colors were always in the leaves, but we just couldn’t see them before!

Why Do Leaves Fall Off?

After the color changes, the leaves don’t just hang on forever. Trees let go of their leaves on purpose. At the base of each leaf, a special layer forms that slowly cuts off water and nutrients. Eventually, the leaf falls often helped by a little wind or rain.

So why do trees do this?

It’s All Part of the Plan

Falling leaves might seem like a bad thing, but it’s actually really smart! Here’s why trees drop their leaves:

To save energy and water during the cold winter months

To protect their branches from breaking under heavy snow or ice

To get ready for fresh new leaves in the spring

Some trees, like evergreens (think pine trees), keep their needles all year long because they’re built to handle winter. But most trees called deciduous trees need a break during winter, and dropping their leaves helps them rest and reset.

So, the next time you see the leaves turning color and falling, don’t worry it’s just nature doing its thing! The trees are getting ready for a long winter nap so they can come back strong and green in the spring.