It’s not just for a spectacular show, though it certainly feels like it. Here’s a fun list that breaks down the cool science behind this magical transformation. Let's find out why leaves ditch green for such vibrant hues every fall!.1. Goodbye, chlorophyll!During spring and summer, leaves are like little green factories thanks to chlorophyll, the pigment that makes them green and helps plants turn sunlight into food. But when autumn comes, and the days get shorter, trees start to break down chlorophyll to get ready for winter. This means less green and more room for other colours to show off!2. Hello, hidden colours!Believe it or not, those yellow and orange colours have been in the leaves all along! They're made by carotenoids, another type of pigment. When the green fades, these pigments get their chance to shine, turning the leaves into shades of lemon and gold.3. The creation of reds and purplesNot all colours are hiding; some are made fresh in the autumn. Reds and purples come from anthocyanins, pigments that trees produce when there's still a lot of sugar in the leaves and the nights are cool but sunny days are still around. This combo makes the leaves turn those gorgeous reds and purples we love so much.4. Every tree is uniqueJust like people, every tree species has its own schedule and style for changing colour. This is why a forest in autumn can look like a patchwork quilt—each type of tree changes colours in its own time and way, making the landscape a constantly changing painting. 5. Nature’s grand finaleThink of the autumn colour change as nature’s big finale before the quiet winter. Trees are shutting down their food production and sealing off their leaves, which will eventually fall off. The colour change is like their closing number in the annual show of the seasons.
