Why do leaves change colour in autumn?

It’s that time of year when the leaves of trees show their best autumn colour. The bright reds, oranges and yellows can be just as dazzling as the bursts of blossom in spring. Autumn creates some of the most beautiful spectacles in the world of trees. Here at FPM we are fortunate to be surrounded by many trees that are looking truly radiant.

Like most plants, trees use chlorophyll to photosynthesise

This process creates essential sugars using sunlight and combining it with water and nutrients brought up from the soil by the roots. Leaves have evolved to carry out photosynthesis by covering the tree canopy to absorb the most sunlight possible. The sugars generated give the trees the energy they need to live and thrive. This is why they will reach up and lean towards the light. Chlorophyll is green so during the months when there is the most sap movement and the tree is growing as much as it can, this green colour is usually the most dominant shade.

Cercis can ‘Ruby Falls’®

A graceful new introduction of weeping habit. The heart shaped leaves appear rich purple, very similar to ‘Forest Pansy’. Clusters of bright pink pea like flowers open just before the foliage in spring followed by flattened, deep purple pods. Perfect for small gardens.

Sorbus aucuparia ‘Beissneri’

A compact, upright, deciduous tree with reddish brown bark. Orange-copper stems bear green, fern like leaves which turn yellow in autumn. Frothy, creamy white flowers are followed by heavy clusters of red berries, very popular with birds.