The tree's branches and trunk can easily survive long, harsh winters, but their leaves aren't that strong. So the tree has a decision to make. Should it shed its leaves and not worry about them? Or should it find a way to protect them?
Evergreen trees protect their leaves by covering them in a waxy coating that helps resist freezing and makes it live for years!
The rest of the trees choose to shed. They are called deciduous trees. The leaves of deciduous trees change colors when they are about to fall off. They all change to different colors.
Why do they change colors? This is because they contain certain chemicals that contain color pigments.
The chemical that makes green leaves is chlorophyll. This is an important part of photosynthesis, and colors all leaves year-round.
Chemicals that make other colors do not usually color leaves all year. The yellow-orange chemi
Evergreen trees protect their leaves by covering them in a waxy coating that helps resist freezing and makes it live for years!
The rest of the trees choose to shed. They are called deciduous trees. The leaves of deciduous trees change colors when they are about to fall off. They all change to different colors.
Why do they change colors? This is because they contain certain chemicals that contain color pigments.
The chemical that makes green leaves is chlorophyll. This is an important part of photosynthesis, and colors all leaves year-round.
Chemicals that make other colors do not usually color leaves all year. The yellow-orange chemi