Vince_Condella's Blog

Does it get much better than this?  A rhetorical question, I know.  You must admit that the sun and gorgeous weather we are having is what makes this part of the country a special place to live.

In my business I usually hear complaints from people about the weather.  Most folks hate the winter, others loath the spring chill, while still others can't stand the summer heat and humidity.  It's human nature to complain.  But this weather is just about complaint-proof.

Part of the appeal to autumn is the changing of the colors.  Trees know that winter is coming when daylight hours shrink and temperatures get colder.  In order to survive the freezing temperatures, leaves need to shed their leaves.  Autumn is when leaves stop producing chlorophyll.  It's what gives them their green color.  Chlorophyll captures sunlight and begins the process of photosynthesis, taking in carbon dioxide, producing sugars for the tree, and releasing oxygen.

Those photosynthesis days are long gone.  Once the green color is gone, the true colors of the leaves start to show.  Carotenoids are present in the yellow, orange, and brown leaves.  Anthocyanins produce the red color.  Eventually each leaf is shut off from the tree and falls to the ground.  Once on the ground, leaves can soak up moisture from rainfall and morning dew and create mold spors.  So if you are sniffing and sneezing with allergy symptoms right now, a moderate mold count is probably the culprit.

Enjoy the weekend warmth and sunshine.  The colors of autumn should be splendid.

For the latest fall color report across the state, click HERE.