(Atlantic) The drought conditions could bring the fall colors earlier than normal this year. Cass County Extension and Outreach Director Kate Olson says, on average, this part of the state would see the major fall change happening in the second half of October.
Olson says numerous factors go into leaf color. “We all have that favorite tree or favorite landscape that some years “wow” you and some years a bit underwhelming,” explained Olson. “So it’s a combination of what happens through the summer and how the weather turns in the fall. So we do have a good chance of a pretty show of colors this year.”
Olson says one of the factors this year is warm, dry summer days followed by cool, dry fall nights, which is the best combination for good fall colors. “We obviously had lots of warm and dry summer days along with a fairly dry fall and numerous cool nights recently,” said Olson.
So what causes leaves to change color. Olson says there are three chemicals in the leaves that cause leaves to change. She says it has to do with the weather and the chemical makeup of the trees. With warm and sunny days, trees produce chlorophyll, which gives the leaves their green color. As we move into fall and experience cooler weather and less sunlight, the chlorophyll begins to break down. The tree’s other natural chemicals then become more pronounced, which gives off the yellow, orange, and red colors.
