UnLIMBited | Science Behind the Leaves

We Marylanders love our seasons. Maryland is notorious for Indian summers, with warm temperatures lasting well into what should be the cooler months of September and October. But fall is finally here: formerly lush, green foliage is starting to turn into the crisp, bright yellows, oranges, and reds indicative of autumn.

Though it may seem a bit like magic, the changing of the seasons is actually an evolution that happens every year. It’s not just bears that ready themselves for the winter; trees and plants go through the progression, too. When it’s warm outside, plants take sunlight from the sky, water from the ground, and carbon dioxide from the air and create oxygen and glucose, a process called photosynthesis. Additionally, a naturally occurring chemical, chlorophyll, is what provides the trees and plants their beautiful green colors and aids in making photosynthesis happen. The glucose created during the process becomes food, and the oxygen is emitted into the air, helping to create a clean and healthy environment in which we breathe a little easier.

 During the colder months, there isn’t enough light for photosynthesis to occur and trees begin to rest, similar to a bear’s “hibernation mode.” The chlorophyll starts to disappear from leaves, and this is when we start to see the different colors emerge from the leaves as they dry up and fall, allowing the trees to reserve their energy for what may be a long and dark winter. Every year, we rediscover the beauty of this process, as we watch purples and reds and yellows reveal themselves among the Maryland landscape.

The coming winter marks a time when trees that previously flourished may become weakened by weather or age. Now may be easier to assess the state of your surroundings due to the lack of leaves on tree limbs. UnLIMBited’s tree experts are well versed in this seasonal process, and can help you make the best decisions for when to schedule and safely perform work on your yard and property, accounting not only for aesthetics but the life-cycle of your trees, plants, and overall environment.

We hope you enjoy the splendor of the season. During fall, winter, or again into the coming year, contact us for more details on our tree care service and maintenance.