Trees respond to colder autumn temperatures by reducing chlorophyll production in their leaves, thus changing their colour from green to the reds, yellows, oranges and mauves of the remaining chemicals.(Chlorophyll provides the energy necessary for photosynthesis.) Eventually these bright colours are dropped to the ground. Not so long ago, fallen leaves were often swept up, and then burnt by suburban householders intent on seeing ‘tidy’ streets and gardens. More recently, leaf litter has been understood as nature’s mulch and compost.
Watch it here.
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