Autumn in the northern hemisphere paints the leaves of our communities, parks and forests in an abundance of brilliant colors, from the golden yellow of aspen leaves to the brilliant scarlet colored red maple leaves to russet colored oak leaves. As the days shorten and the intensity of the day’s light lessens, leaves on trees prepare to fall.
Time lapse of Aspens North of Silverton, Route 550, Colorado, USA. Credit: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group
Chlorophyl, which gives leaves their basic green coloring, with carotenoids and anthocyanin, are the pigments that provide nature’s color palette used to turn a landscape from dark green to crimson, bright yellow, purple, golden bronze or any of the variety of colors we see primarily during the months of September, October and November.
Aerial view over empty winding road with hair pin bend, running through forest showing autumn colours. Credit: Sven-Erik Arndt/Arterra/Universal Images Group 
Red maple leaf with drops of water. autumn. France. Credit: Pascal Deloche/Godong/Universal Images Group 
Briar leaf in autumn. Laghestel biotope. Trentino. Italy. Credit: Marco Simonini/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group 
The grand facade of Christ Church College, Oxford in autumn Credit: Planet One Photos/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Mandala made of Sassafras leaves on sidewalk Credit: Lindsey Nicholson/Universal Images Group 
Japanese maple in autumn. Beautiful autumn maple leaves in sunlight. Autumn forest natural landscape. Credit: Anjelika Gretskaia/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group 
Elevated view of picture perfect Stowe Vermont in autumn color. Credit: Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group 
The Last Days of autumn. Maple tree in private garden. Red leaves. Credit: Pascal Deloche/Godong/Universal Images Group 
The Last Days of autumn. Maple tree in private garden. Red leaves. Credit: Pascal Deloche/Godong/Universal Images Group 
Large mature English oak tree, Quercus Robur, orange autumn leaves stands alone in field, Sutton, Suffolk, England, UK. Credit: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group
Weather, temperature and moisture all play roles influencing the variety and brilliance of colors displayed during autumn. Warm, sunny days coupled with crisp nights tend to lead to the most spectacular displays of color. Wet, seasonal springtime temperatures also lead to more colorful fall seasons, while delayed springs or overly dry summers can prolong the start of the color changes in many types of leaves.
*Header video: Aerial drone video of rural countryside landscape scenery with orange autumn trees and green fields in farmland on a farm with typical beautiful English woods in The Cotswolds in beautiful sunrise sunlight, England, UK. Credit: Matthew Williams-Ellis/Universal Images Group
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Source:
US Dept of Agriculture; Forest Service –
https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/fall-colors/science-of-fall-colors