Why do the leaves actually turn colorful in autumn? And why do they fall down? Here is an attempt at a child-friendly explanation: in autumn, the leaves on many trees turn colorful because the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder. The trees are preparing for winter and have stopped producing chlorophyll, the substance that makes the leaves green.
Why do leaves change color in autumn?
When the chlorophyll disappears, other colors that have always been in the leaves appear, such as yellow, orange or red. Some trees, such as conifers, do not change color in the fall because they keep their needles and these remain bluish or green. These types of trees are designed for colder climates and their needles are well protected from frost.
Conifers, like firs and pines, don't change color in the fall because their needles have a thick wax coating and are close together. These needles are designed to be less easily damaged by cold and snow. They retain their color because they aren't like the leaves of deciduous trees, which need to change color to prepare for winter. Conifers have learned over thousands of years how to cope with cold temperatures without losing their needles.
So why do the leaves fall from the trees in autumn?
In the fall, leaves fall from trees because the trees want to prepare for winter. They separate the leaves from the branches so that they don't lose as much water and can better withstand the cold weather. The leaves are no longer able to produce food for the tree and would be more of a burden than a help in the winter. When the trees shed their leaves, they save energy and water that they need for the winter.
The falling leaves do not harm the trees, in fact, it helps them. Without leaves, deciduous trees can survive the winter better because they lose less water and their branches do not break off as easily when it snows. The trees have evolved in this way so that they can get through the cold season well. “Why do leaves change color in autumn?” read more