How to Identify a Tree by its Fall Colors

by Grace Schulte

Did you know that you can identify certain broadleaf trees just by looking at the color of their fall leaves? Some trees’ common names are even derived specifically from its primary autumn leaf color. During the fall months, you may notice a lot of red, yellow, and orange. This is because they’re the most common fall leaf colors. However, in the summer, all the leaves are green. This is due to the presence of chlorophyll, a group of green pigments.

These green pigments are abundant during the growing season, and during this time, they actually mask the color of any other pigments that may be present in the leaf. Chlorophyll is responsible for helping a tree produce nutrients during summer, but as autumn rolls around, chlorophyll starts to be destroyed due to factors such as weather and the length of nights. As the green pigments disappear, other previously masked pigments are allowed to shine through.

The two other pigments present in leaves are carotenoid (produces yellow, orange, and brown) and anthocyanin (produces red). Carotenoids are already present in the leaf cells during the growing season, but most anthocyanins are produced in autumn. Orange and yellow leaves are revealed

through the destruction of chlorophyll. Warm, sunny fall days and cool fall nights lead to an excess of sugar (food) within the leaf, which presents as the color red.

Here’s a short reference list: Oaks: red, brown, or russet
Hickories: golden bronze
Aspen and yellow-poplar: golden yellow
Dogwood: purplish red
Beech: light tan
Sourwood and black tupelo: crimson
Red maple: brilliant scarlet
Sugar maple: orange-red
Black maple: glowing yellow
Striped maple: almost colorless

Now this fall you can make informed estimations on what kind of tree it is based on what color its leaves are! Happy tree-identifying!

References: www.fs.usda.gov