“University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign logo

Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability

at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Home Directory Library Events FAQ About us

 
 

Where Does the Green Go?


The days are short in the fall. There is not enough sunlight for leaves to make food.

Little Green Food Factories Shut Down
When leaves stop making food, they lose their green color. Then you can see other colors that have been there all along. You can see yellow, brown and red.

The Best and the Brightest
Some leaves make new colors when the green is gone. They make bright red and purple. Maple leaves make the brightest colors.


Next lesson - What Do Trees Do for Dinner?

Back to the Student's Guide