Mother Nature's beauty can be seen throughout the year, but it is most apparent when the fall weather brings out the vivid amber hues in a once-green tree. If you are lucky enough to live in a state with deciduous trees, you know it can be a breathtaking occurrence.
History has given us many legends to explain this color change, but science has determined it is due to a chemical process during the transition from summer to winter.
A leaf is green due to a chemical called chlorophyll, which is used in photosynthesis. This process enables a plant or tree to use sunlight to manufacture food.
As fall progresses, the length of daylight diminishes and the temperature gets colder. Both these factors are responsible for the eventual disappearance of chlorophyll in the leaves. Contrary to popular belief, it is not due to the first frost. Once the chlorophyll is gone, the remaining chemicals, carotenoids and anthocyanins, show their true colors.
Each tree species will show different color characteristics. You'll be able to see color variations from almost colorless to a deep purplish red. The brilliance of these colors will also vary according to the weather conditions. Temperature, light and water have their own influence. For the most spectacular color, warm days and cool nights is the prescription.
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Lisa LeClaire is the owner of Fundamental Expressions Gift Baskets http://www.fegifts.com
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