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NatureChapter 1 of 5

Why Leaves Change Color in the Fall

The Green That Hides the Gold

Those reds, oranges and golds were hiding in the leaves all along. Well, most of them.

A winding country road lined with trees in brilliant red, orange and yellow fall foliage
AI-generated image

In spring and summer, most leaves are green because of a pigment called chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll helps trees turn sunlight, water and air into the sugars they need to grow.

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Leaves contain other colors too, including yellows and oranges. But during summer, there is so much green chlorophyll that it hides them.

When fall arrives, that changes.

Continue reading: Chapter 2 of 5 →