Back in August of 2012 Douglas Main talked about how trees in the Northeastern United States may be more colorful than usual. Due to a lower amount of average rain in New York the chlorophyll in trees may retreat earlier. Chlorophyll allows trees to harness energy from the sun. When the chlorophyll is gone pigments, other than the typical green, are then visible. Carotenes and canthophyll are the pigments that appear as yellows and oranges to the human eye. Though they are always present within the leaves the green hides these.
Anthocyanis is the red that is seen in leaves when it is under stress. It helps the vegetation from freezing during dropping temperatures and keep it from being harmed by radiation. With an earlier drop in temperatures during the night this past year the plants begin reducing chlorophyll productions and begin preparing for a winter 'hibernation'.
Source: Northeastern Trees May Be Extra Colorful This Year
Main, Douglas. "Northeastern Trees May Be Extra Colorful This Year." Our Amazing Planet - Life. Our Amazing Planet, 27 Aug. 2012. Web. 7 Apr. 2013. <http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/3390-fall-foliage-colors.html>.
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