It’s all about chlorophyll—the green pigment that allows plants to absorb sunlight and turn it into food that can be stored for winter dormancy, much as a bear stores fat fo… See more

The most-dazzling displays of scarlet and crimson occur in autumns marked by warm, bright days and cool, crisp nights with temperatures above freezing. Sun-lit autumn da… See more

Eventually, autumn leaves must fall. By the end of summer, they may be damaged by insects, disease or general wear and tear and ready for renewal. They are equipped to self-destr… See more

Nature seems to abhor waste, so it is no surprise that though leaves may fall to earth, they still have not outlasted their ecological role. As they decompose, their nutrients tri… See more