Understanding Leaf Senescence

During the fall, many trees change their colors before shedding their leaves. This process is known as leaf senescence. As temperatures drop, chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves, breaks down and reveals other pigments such as carotenoids, which give leaves their yellow and orange hues. Eventually, as the days grow shorter and the temperatures cool, the leaves will lose moisture and nutrients, leading to their eventual fall. This natural occurrence is a vital part of the annual cycle of deciduous trees.