The Color of Mangos

The color of these oak, maple, and tulip poplar trees is green now, but very soon they will explode into a frenzy of color that blend together into a harmony that only nature can acquire. Currently there is an abundance of chlorophyll in the leaves which make them green; this is something that everyone knows or should know. In the fall however the chlorophyll breaks down first leaving a yellow or orange color or a combination of any of these. The chemicals that produce this coloration are carotenoids. A red or purple color is caused by anthocyanins. While the leaves are turning colors the tree attempts to suck up all of the nutrients the leaf has left before hibernating for the winter which is something all three of these species of trees does. When the cells at the base of the leaf finally die the leaf drops and the forest is covered in dead but beautiful leaves. I can't wait until I get to see the beautiful dead vegetation!!!