Have you ever noticed the color changing leaves of deciduous trees? Well, trees don’t change color, they lose color! In fall, the days begin to get shorter and we start to see brightly colored leaves fall to the ground in preparation for winter. When the days get shorter the tree is triggered and the production of chlorophyll (the green stuff) slows and eventually stops.
Have you ever wondered why the leaves change to the color they do? In fact the color is already there; it is just hiding under the layer of green chlorophyll. The chlorophyll dies off because it is not needed anymore. Then you get to see the beautiful reds, purples, oranges and yellows that were already there.
The leaf on a tree is not needed anymore as we come into winter. By dropping leaves the tree helps itself to save water and energy. Eventually the leaves fall off leaving a scar with a bud underneath it ready for spring.
As you can see, dropping leaves helps a tree save water and energy as it will be hard to find in the winter months. Be sure to check out my other blog called Deciduous vs Evergreen.
