Why Autumn Leaves Will Look More Beautiful This Year
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, when trees change into the colors of yellow, orange, and red. But behind this beauty, there is a biological science that explains why these colors appear and why some years show more beautiful colors than others. According to Forestry England, this year’s autumn might be an especially bright colour because the summer was unusually sunny and warm.
During the summer, trees undergo a chemical process called photosynthesis to produce food. When the sunlight is strong and the weather is warm, trees create more sugar inside their leaves. As autumn arrives, the days they photosynthesise get shorter and the amount of sunlight decreases. This causes the production of chlorophyll and the green pigment also, to slow down and eventually stop. When chlorophyll disappears, the yellow (xanthophyll) and orange (carotene) pigments that were hidden before begin to show, creating the warm colors we see in early autumn.
At the same time, if there is still a lot of sugar trapped in the leaves, the trees start to produce another pigment called anthocyanin, which gives leaves their red and purple tones. Scientists say this happens because the tree is trying to store energy from the sugar before winter comes. Therefore, in years with hot, sunny summers and cool, dry autumn nights, trees display much more vivid and striking red and orange colors. However, when there is too much drought, some trees lose their leaves early and turn brown before they have the chance to show their bright colors, and a phenomenon experts call a “false autumn.”
This process is not only seen in the UK but also in other countries like South Korea. For example, after a sunny Korean summer, the maples and ginkgo trees in places like Seoraksan (설악산) and Naejangsan (내장산) will turn bright red and golden yellow in late October. When the weather pattern includes warm days and cool nights, the Korean mountains become filled with fancy colors. But if the weather is too dry and rain doesn’t fall in early autumn, some trees turn brown quickly and drop their leaves before the real autumn arrives, just like what happens sometimes in the UK.
In conclusion, autumn leaves are not just a random natural event, but a result of specific scientific factors such as sunlight, temperature, and the chemistry inside the leaves. Both in the UK and in Korea, a warm, sunny summer followed by cool and dry autumn nights can create the most colorful and breathtaking autumn scenery. This makes autumn not only a season of change but also a wonderful reminder of how nature and science work together to create beauty.
For those seeking the most breathtaking views of autumn foliage in Korea, Seoraksan National Park (located in Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do), Naejangsan National Park (in Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do), and Nami Island (in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do) are highly recommended destinations, each offering a unique and picturesque display of fall colors
설악산 국립공원
내장산 국립공원
남이섬
