How Trees Know When It’s Time to Drop Their Leaves
• Trees use photoperiodism (day length) to sense seasonal changes and initiate leaf drop.
• Temperature and hormone changes also play roles in leaf senescence and the formation of the abscission layer.
• Autumn colors appear as chlorophyll breaks down, revealing carotenoids and anthocyanins.
Trees know when to shed leaves
As summer fades and the days grow shorter, a magical transformation occurs in the world around us. The vibrant green canopy of deciduous trees begins to shift into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and yellows before the leaves eventually fall to the ground. But how do trees know when it’s time to let go of their leaves? The answer lies in a complex interplay of environmental cues and internal biological processes.
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