DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - You may have already done some pumpking picking this season. However, leaf peeping is right around the corner- despite the on-going run of warm weather.

Did you know, during the growing season, chlorophyll gives leaves their green color by helping plants absorb sunlight for photosynthesis? As days get shorter and cooler weather arrives in autumn, trees prepare for winter by slowing down and eventually stopping chlorophyll production. The existing chlorophyll breaks down and fades away.

As the green leaf color disappears, other pigments that were present but masked such as carotenoids (orange and yellow pigments) and anthocyanins (red and purple pigments) become visible. Carotenoids are present all the time, but their colors are hidden by the green chlorophyll. Whe

See Full Page