The Secret Colors of Fall Leaves

Look up at the trees in the warm summer sun. The branches are full of bright green leaves.

Leaves have a very important job. They make sweet food to help the tree grow big and strong.

Leaves use warm sunlight, water, and air to make this food. A special green color inside the leaf helps catch the sunlight.

This green color is very bright. It is so bright that it covers up all the other colors inside the leaf!

Soon, the summer ends and autumn arrives. The air turns crisp and cool.

The days grow shorter, and the nights grow longer. The trees get much less sunshine each day.

The trees know that cold winter weather is coming soon. They must get ready to rest and save their energy.

The green color slowly starts to fade away. The leaves stop making food for the tree.

When the green fades, a wonderful surprise appears! Yellow and orange colors show up on the branches.

These bright colors were hiding in the leaves all summer long. The green was just too strong to let them show.

Some trees also trap sugar inside their leaves. This trapped sugar turns the leaves bright red and deep purple.

The woods look like a giant box of colorful crayons. Red, orange, and yellow leaves shine in the autumn sun.

Soon, a gentle wind blows through the woods. The leaves flutter and drift softly down to the grass.

They make a cozy blanket over the cool ground. The bare tree rests peacefully until spring brings new green leaves again.