PHOTO: Autumn Blaze Freeman maple (Acer fremanii 'Jeffersred') in fall.

Why Do Trees Turn Colors?

Most of us remember chlorophyll from science class, as the chemical that makes leaves green. But ask why leaves turn color in the fall, and we get vague quickly. Colder temperatures? Shorter days? True, but there’s more to the story.

PHOTO: American smoke tree (Cotinus obovatus) in fall.
American smoke tree (Cotinus obovatus) turns a brilliant yellow late in the season—after it has gone through burgundy and bright red.

A summer leaf, full of chlorophyll, looks green. But once chlorophyll production stops in fall, the colors overwhelmed by green are revealed: yellow, orange, or brown, the colors of carotenoid chemicals. 

Reds, crimsons, and purples happen when sugar is trapped in the leaves. As sugar decomposes, it creates chemicals called anthocyanins.

According to Boyce Tankersley, director of living plant documentation, “Plant physiologists have understood the environmental factors that lead to fall color for many years. However, each of the 1,391 different taxa of trees and 2,319 taxa of shrubs here respond to these environmental signals in slightly different ways: new ‘arrivals’ join the display of fall colors on a daily basis. It’s a constantly changing tapestry of color from September to November!”

Other factors come into play too: nighttime temperatures, soil moisture, the tree’s own genetics, and, of course, the weather. A warm and dry September has meant a late start for color this year. Don’t miss a chance to see the full palette of fall color happening now at the Chicago Botanic Garden—take a fall walk or use our virtual guide: our Garden Guide app

Check out our infographic below for the full fall story in living color.

Fall color infographic: the chemicals in leave which make them turn different colors.

Want to share our infographic? Download a print version here.


©2015 Chicago Botanic Garden and my.chicagobotanic.org

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The Graphic Gardeners

Karen + Maria specialize in Words + Pictures. Maria Ciaccio thinks visually, and has a gift for turning any photo, illustration, strategy, or germ of an idea into a gorgeous graphic. She is an art major who enjoys creating hyper-realistic portraits, and a beginning gardener. Karen Zaworski thinks verbally, and loves the challenge of explaining big concepts in as few words as possible. She is an English major with preternaturally neat printing, and a front yard vegetable gardener.