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Why do leaves change color and fall off trees in autumn? »

Posted by: engineer 2 years, 3 months ago

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That is a question to be asked every year at about this time. Leaves start falling in autumn (or the fall) when the days start to get shorter.

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engineer

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My background is Biomedical engineering with an MBA As you know from all my comments where I almost stand politically. I have loads of ...

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Comments: 14

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jordan11
Sept. 26, 2007, 11:58 a.m.
Learned something new today. Bill Nye is great.
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GrainOfSand
Sept. 26, 2007, 12:10 p.m.
Love it! Fall and spring are the best seasons! I got married in the fall.....ahhhhh.......
I've heard the peak seasons for leaf watching in the East will be early this year. And with the drought in the Southeast, it probably won't be as intense as previous years.
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texangelwings
Sept. 26, 2007, 12:13 p.m.
Thanks engineer, great article! Science is so facinating.
The non-scientific reasons are to allow all lifeforms to prepare for winter and for people, it is a wonder trip to view the foliage. The view that is marvelious to the senses.
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mdvaldosta
Sept. 26, 2007, 12:43 p.m.
Propeller - not only entertaining but also informative. Heh. That was interesting engineer.
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kayayurt
Sept. 26, 2007, 2:40 p.m.
I also learned something new today.
Thanks
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BronxBomber
Sept. 26, 2007, 10:56 p.m.
I love Spring m'self,the days are longer, just when the flowers are blooming, the bees are a buzzing, and the birds are a singin' good article btw. and thanks!
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tiredofwhiners
Sept. 27, 2007, 3:33 a.m.
I lucked out in 1971 on a trip out east and it was one of the best fall colors they had in years (Vermont and New Hampshire). I picked up leaves and pressed them in books between kleenex. I now have some antique pressed colored leaves.
On another note, I recall that conifers have an "antifreeze" that prevent freezing and thus breaking of their cells. Deciduous trees don't have that and their leaves would have a problem in very cold weather.
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toph1973
Sept. 27, 2007, 11:42 a.m.
I'm wondering what happens in Hawaii? Do the trees go dormant? I'm thinking that the temps never really get cold enough. Days really wouldn't get short enough because they are so far south. Anyone know?