Video:Red Leaves in New England

Transcript:Red Leaves in New England

Hi, I'm Kaytie Sproul, here for About.com, and today we're going to talk about the red leaves of New England using information from About.com's goNewEngland site.

Information About Red Leaves in New England

If you're a fan of vibrant Fall colors, then New England is the place to go. While visiting, you may wonder what causes certain trees's leaves to turn a vibrant shade of red rather than other colors. There's a simple scientific explanation, so let's take a closer look. Leaves get their green color from chlorophyll, a pigment found in plant leaves that enables them to process sunlight. Fall's shorter days and cooler temperatures cause the chlorophyll to move from the leaves to the branches, trunk, and roots, and the yellow and orange pigments that are always present become visible. On warm fall days, sugar is produced in the leaves of some trees and then trapped by the chill of night.

About Red Leaves in New England

As sugar accumulates, the leaves turn brighter red. Trees "inherit" their fall colors, just as we inherit the color of our hair. The color depends on how much iron, magnesium, phosphorus or sodium is in the tree, and the acidity of the chemicals in the leaves. The brilliant reds and oranges in the New England Fall landscape are due to the specific chemical, "anthocyanin," present in particular trees. If you're seeking out trees with the "inherited" red leaf color, you'll find it on dogwoods, sweetgums, sourwoods, sumacs, tupelos, certain maple trees, such as sugar maples, and certain oak trees. Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island comprise the New England region, and each of these states experiences different peak seasons for Fall foliage.

Facts About Red Leaves in New England

If you're hoping to see an abundance of red leaves at their brightest, be sure to plan ahead and call the foliage hotlines for the state or states you'll be visiting. There are also numerous websites for each state that track Fall foliage and provide the traveler with up-to-date information about where and when to see the most vibrant palate of Fall colors. Red leaves abound in New England in the Fall, and add to the brilliance of its breathtaking landscapes. Chilly nights and sunny autumn days produce brighter leaves than warm, wet weather, so if you're expecting loads of gorgeous red leaves on your next New England visit, don't forget your jacket.

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