Science Fact of the Week (10/4/17)

Have you noticed that red fall colors seem brighter in some years than in other years?
The temperature and cloud cover can make a big difference in a tree's red colors from year to year.
In the daytime, the leaves can produce lots of sugar, but the cool night temperatures prevent the sugar sap from flowing through the leaf veins and down into the branches and trunk. Researchers have found out that the red pigment in leaves is produced as a form of protection. It allows the plant to recover nutrients in the leaves before they fall off. This helps make sure that the tree will be ready for the next growing season.
So, when there are a number of warm, sunny autumn days and cool but not freezing nights in a row, it's going to be a good year for reds.

https://imboston.com