Tis the season for fall colors. The days are getting shorter so the trees are preparing for the coming winter. As the trees begin to shut down their food-making factories, the green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. As the green begins to fade we start to see the yellows, oranges and reds. As the fall colors appear, other changes are taking place. At the point where the stem of the leaf is attached to the tree, a special layer of cells develops and gradually severs the tissues that support the leaf. At the same time, the tree seals the cut, so that when the leaf is finally blown off by the wind or falls from its own weight, it leaves behind a leaf scar. I enjoy this time of the year because of the color changes and the variety of patterns we see on the leaves. They say that each snowflake is unique, no two are alike. I wonder if that is true for the leaves. I’m fascinated all the designs nature has been working on. Nature stays pretty busy.
