Story and select photos contributed by: Judy Ripley
A
utumn brings with it many gifts. Children return to school, the air conditioners can rest and
windows can be opened. Produce stands seem to overflow with the very best of cantaloupes, tomatoes and corn. Jackets and shoes once again become a part of our wardrobes. Our deciduous trees and shrubs, those
that lose their leaves, take on a rainbow of colors. The skies are clear blue released from the summer humidity and create a spectacular canvas on which the colors of fall are painted. Autumn (Leavesfall downacus) magically changes not only our surrounding color palate but creates a free source of compost deposited on the ground for the taking, and raking and raking. In our climate, zone seven, days shorten, the sun sinks slowly in the sky and moderate weather can be enjoyed well into November. This is the time of finishing yard chores with a quick cast for rockfish off the dock. The change in this spectrum of color
is caused by the chlorophyll exiting the leaves of our deciduous trees and shrubs. Chlorophyll, a chemical that assists in pho- tosynthesis, causes the green coloration in the summer. Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose (a sugar) to feed the trees. The way plants turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and sugar is called photosynthesis (putting together with light). The leaves are nature’s food factories. During the wintertime there is not enough daylight for photosynthesis. When the days shorten, the chlorophyll drains out through the petiole, or stem of the leaf. The remain- ing color and its intensity are dependent upon the species of tree and the moisture content of the soil. When choosing shrubs and trees for our landscape, the fall color is as important to consider as the spring and summer bloom.
This botanical transformation is
triggered by the length of the daylight hours and not the temperature. Trees and shrubs have the amazing ability to preserve themselves. This is often seen by the early loss of leaves due to drought, prolonged heat and stress, such as incon- sistent watering, compaction or disease. Dogwood leaves become a rich deep
red which compliments their berry pro- duction. Black gums leaves turn burgundy
The House & Home Magazine 33 Maple leaf in autumn colors.
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