Why do some leaves turn red and others yellow?

We’re coming up on the most beautiful time of the year in New England.  Mother Nature never disappoints us when it comes to her artistry of harvest-hues in the autumn months. This year after a great deal of rainfall in August and early September, the woods are particularly lush and fall foliage is shaping up to be exquisite throughout New England.  October is the perfect month for a DINE leaf peeping getaway, but one word of caution.  While there are still rooms available, this is a popular time to visit,  so book now or forever hold your peep!  To get the room on the date you want, you’ll need to make your reservation soon. 

While the changing of the leaves can never be pinpointed to a specific date, in Northern New England Columbus Day usually coincides with peak foliage.  In the Berkshires and more southern parts of New England, color often lasts beyond Columbus Day.  A great resource for predicting when the leaves will turn is the Yankee Magazine fall foliage map.  There you’ll see first-hand reports from leaf peepers offering photos and details of the ever-changing foliage.

What makes the color turn?

 Plants use glucose as food for energy and growth. Photosynthesis is the process of  turning water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and sugar  A chemical called chlorophyl also is needed to make photosynthesis happen. Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color. Throughout the summer months, trees store up their nutrients. As summer ends and the days get shorter and shorter, the trees begin to ready for winter.  They begin to shut down their food-making process and the green chlorophyll disappears. As the bright green fades away, it is replaced by yellow and orange colors. While small amounts of these colors have been in the leaves all summer, it’s covered up by the dominent green chlorophyll.  The bright reds and purples seen in leaves  are made only in the autumn. Some trees, like maples, trap glucose  in the leaves after photosynthesis stops. The combination of sunlightduring the day and the cool nights of autumn cause the leaves to turn this glucose into a red color. The brown color of trees like oaks is made from wastes left in the leaves.

Now that you know the process, it’s time to get out and enjoy the views! Take photos and post them to the DINE blog.  Tell us about your trip and offer tips for where to see the best foliage shots!  We can’t wait to hear your stories.