Hey there! Have you ever wondered why leaves change their color in the fall? Let’s explore this fascinating process together!
Leaves are usually green because they contain a special pigment called chlorophyll. A pigment is something that gives color to things, like leaves. Chlorophyll helps plants make food by using sunlight. This process is essential for plants to grow and stay healthy.
During fall and winter, the days become shorter and colder. There isn’t as much sunlight for plants to use to make food. Because of this, many plants stop making food until spring arrives. When this happens, the leaves stop producing chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is not the only pigment in leaves. When the green chlorophyll fades away, other pigments in the leaves become visible. These pigments give the leaves beautiful yellow, orange, and red colors. These colors were always there, but the green was so strong that we couldn’t see them before!
So, the next time you see the leaves changing color, you’ll know it’s because the green chlorophyll is disappearing, revealing the hidden colors that were there all along. Isn’t nature amazing?
Leaf Color Hunt: Go on a nature walk with an adult and collect different colored leaves. Try to find leaves that are green, yellow, orange, and red. Once you have a collection, sort them by color. Discuss with your adult helper why you think each leaf is a certain color. Can you guess which leaves have more or less chlorophyll?
Color Mixing Experiment: Use watercolors to mix different shades of green, yellow, orange, and red. Paint a picture of a tree in the fall. As you paint, think about how the colors you are using might be similar to the pigments in the leaves. Which colors do you think are hidden under the green chlorophyll during the summer?
Question Time: Discuss with a friend or family member: Why do you think some trees lose their leaves in the fall while others stay green all year round? What do you think would happen if leaves didn’t change color in the fall?
