In this The Scene in TO article, John Ransom from Davey’s Toronto area discusses the factors that played into Toronto trees changing color early this year.
As summer fades and Toronto cools down, the city’s tree canopy begins its annual transformation. From High Park’s oaks to the maples along the Don Valley, one of the most beautiful sights in our city is the shift from lush green to fiery reds, oranges, and yellows.
“Many people think the first cool night is what makes the leaves turn,” says John Ransom, a local ISA Certified Arborist with the Davey Tree Expert Company in Toronto. “In reality, it’s a mix of conditions, like moisture, sunlight, and tree health all coming together to create the brightest colours.”
So, what’s really behind the show? It comes down to four key pigments:
Chlorophyll: The source of green throughout the growing season. As it breaks down in the fall, hidden colours emerge.
Carotenoids: Responsible for the yellows we see in maples and birches. Present all year but masked by green until autumn.
Anthocyanins: Produce the vibrant reds and purples, especially after sunny days followed by cool nights.
Tannins: The pigment that turns leaves brown just before they drop.
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