eaves don’t actually turn color. They reveal colors that were hiding there all along. Here is how it happens.
The Green Fades First
As nights grow longer, trees stop producing chlorophyll, the green pigment of photosynthesis. It breaks down at a steady rate, and the green simply drains away.
Hidden Yellows Appear
Yellow and orange pigments called carotenoids live in every leaf all summer, masked by chlorophyll. Once the green is gone, they shine through — which is why some trees go gold but never red.
Reds Are Made Fresh
Reds and purples come from anthocyanins, pigments trees build from scratch each autumn. Trapped sugars and bright sunlight fuel their production, so maples and dogwoods flame red while other species stay yellow.
The Brightest Color Has a Recipe
Sunny autumn days plus cool — not freezing — nights make the most vivid display. Drought, disease, or an early hard frost can dull the show.
Sources: LSU AgCenter, U.S. Forest Service, Science Notes