Fall Foliage Facts


Fall is a favorite time of year with it’s spectacular colors. Ever wonder how it happens? 
The answer is all in the leaves! 
Here’s how it works:
Plants’ roots take up water from the ground while carbon dioxide (a gas) is taken from the air. The plant uses sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose (a kind of sugar) to use for energy and growth. This process is called Photosynthesis.

As part of this process, chlorophyll, a chemical that makes plants  green, is created. As the days get shorter and the light wanes, the process slows. Chlorophyll is no longer being manufactured and so the green color fades. 

The autumn colors have actually been there all along, but in summer are covered by chlorophyll. As the green fades, those distinctive autumn colors begin to show. They become brighter in the fall because of glucose trapped in the leaves.A late summer that’s dry with sunny fall days & cool nights produces the brightest foliage here in the Northeast.
The red and purple colors come from anthrocyanin pigments in the leaves.

The orange colors come from carotene, and the yellows come from xanthrophyll.


Brown colors come from tannin, a waste product. 

Scientists don’t yet know the exact purpose of these pigments, though they are all involved in the photosynthesis process.
If you want to bring Autumn color into your landscape, fall is a great time to plant trees. Check the list below for some deciduous tree species we recommend.
(Note: There’s a range of planting zones in New Hampshire, so be sure to check what zone you’re in when planting new vegetation. Click here to learn more.)
Six spectacular deciduous tree species!

  1. Sugar Maple –  Spectacular fall colors with leaves turning yellow to orange and finally to red. Hardy in zones 3 – 8.
  2. Red Maple – In the fall this red leafed tree turns deep red or yellow. Hardy in zones 3-9.
  3. Bald Cypress – Unusual, in that this is a deciduous conifer which turns a beautiful orange-red color. Hardy in zones 4-10.
  4. Black Tupelo – The leaves of this tree will combine many colors at once – yellow, orange, purple, scarlet and bright red. Hardy in zones 4 – 9.
  5. Sassafrass –  You’ll see brilliant colors of deep orange, scarlet, purple and yellow on this tree.  Hardy in zones 4 – 9.
  6. Aspen – Typically a western tree, the spectacular yellow leaves make this tree a fall beauty.  Hardy in zones 1 – 7.
Enjoy the Autumn Trees!



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