Why Do Leaves Change Color

Why Do Leaves Change Color

So Many Colors Why are the leaves on trees different colors?What makes them change color?

Making Food Leaves use sunlight, water, and air to make food for the tree. This way of making food is called photosynthesis. A chemical that helps leaves make food also makes them green.

Photosynthesis is important to animals as well as plants. Some animals eat plants. Other animals eat those animals. Without photosynthesis, neither kind of animal would have food.

Summer Summer is playtime. For the leaves of many trees, however, it's work, work, work! The Sun is shining. The leaves are making food for the trees. The trees store any extra food deep inside. The stored food will help them get through winter.

Leaves are green in summer because they are making food. Leaves also have orange, yellow, or brown colors inside them. During summer, those other colors are hidden by the green color.