Colors of Autumn

Now that autumn is upon us, many people look forward to the cooler weather and changing colors of the leaves. What a beautiful sight it is when you take a walk along a path in the forest or drive down a country road with trees on either side.

Leaves lose their color at this time of year, and the weather year-round plays a role in the loss of pigment and the onset of the beautiful hues of reds and golds. The shorter days in autumn is a signal that winter is on its way, and it is time for trees to begin the process of shedding their leaves. The production of chlorophyll, the chemical that gives leaves their green color in summer, is shut down and as a result, the green disappears and is replaced by other pigments that give the leaves their fall colors. -CANDY