Why Do Leaves Fall Off Trees During Autumn?

Autumn is a special time of year. Cooler air, cozy sweaters, pumpkin-flavored everything, and, of course, those vibrant, colorful leaves. Trees become showstoppers, draped in shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold. But, have you ever wondered why leaves change color and fall? 

There’s actually a lot of science happening behind the leaves, and it all comes down to chemistry and the trees’ survival strategy for winter. 

Together, let’s anyswer the question of, “Why do leaves fall off trees,” by exploring the fascinating roles of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins – the molecules that turn this seasonal display into a beautiful, colorful spectacle.

Why Do Leaves Fall Off Trees?

To understand why fall leaves change color, it helps to understand why they’re green in the first place. Leaves get their green color from chlorophyll, a pigment that’s essential to the process of photosynthesis.