Illinois Natural History Survey - University of Illinois

Where Does the Green Go?

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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.

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This information is taken from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Kids for Trees. For more information and activities about trees, check their website.