Why is it wrong to say that leaves "change color" in the fall?

Answer 1

Because they don't actually change color.
They just lose their green, revealing the yellow and orange colors that were there also, but concealed by the green.

Answer 2

~~It is not really "wrong" to say that some people just get all scientific, to try to make you seem wrong and prove themselves right.~~~~

This is why they would think that though:
The mixture of red, orange and yellow is the result of chemical processes that take place in the tree as the seasons change from summer to winter.

During the spring and summer the leaves have served as factories where most of the foods necessary for the tree's growth are manufactured. This food-making process takes place in the leaf in numerous cells containing chlorophyll, which gives the leaf its green color. This extraordinary chemical absorbs from sunlight the energy that is used in transforming carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates, such as sugars and starch.

Along with the green pigment are yellow to orange pigments, carotenes and xanthophyll pigments which, for example, give the orange color to a carrot. Most of the year these colors are masked by great amounts of green coloring.

Chlorophyll Breaks Down

But in the fall, because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor.

At the same time other chemical changes may occur, which form additional colors through the development of red anthocyanin pigments. Some mixtures give rise to the reddish and purplish fall colors of trees such as dogwoods and sumacs, while others give the sugar maple its brilliant orange.

The autumn foliage of some trees show only yellow colors. Others, like many oaks, display mostly browns. All these colors are due to the mixing of varying amounts of the chlorophyll residue and other pigments in the leaf during the fall season.

Other Changes Take Place

As the fall colors appear, other changes are taking place. At the point where the stem of the leaf is attached to the tree, a special layer of cells develops and gradually severs the tissues that support the leaf. At the same time, the tree seals the cut, so that when the leaf is finally blown off by the wind or falls from its own weight, it leaves behind a leaf scar.

Most of the broad-leaved trees in the North shed their leaves in the fall. However, the dead brown leaves of the oaks and a few other species may stay on the tree until growth starts again in the spring. In the South, where the winters are mild, some of the broad-leaved trees are evergreen; that is, the leaves stay on the trees during winter and keep their green color.

Only Some Trees Lose Leaves

Most of the conifers - pines, spruces, firs, hemlocks, cedars, etc. - are evergreen in both the North and South. The needle- or scale-like leaves remain green or greenish the year round, and individual leaves may stay on for two to four or more years.

Weather Affects Color Intensity

Temperature, light, and water supply have an influence on the degree and the duration of fall color. Low temperatures above freezing willfavor anthocyanin formation producing bright reds in maples. However, early frost will weaken the brilliant red color. Rainy and/or overcast days tend to increase the intensity of fall colors. The best time to enjoy the autumn color would be on a clear, dry, and cool (not freezing) day.

Enjoy the color, it only occurs for a brief period each fall.

Answer 3

It's not wrong it's just that they loose their green pigment because the sun doesn't shine on them as much in the fall in the winter and the leaves cannot make the green pigment. So the yellows and reds show up because there is no green to cover it up.

Answer 4

Well, personally I do not thing that it is wrong, but I believe that if somebody does argue it, it is because they technically lose their "pigmentation" color so to speak. You would technically say that leaves lose their color. Example...If you are really tan, and then your tan fades, people wouldn't say you changed color...you just lost your color. But really, I say that leaves change color. I'm not too picky that way.

Answer 5

acctually, the coloring (cloryporm or what ever it is called) comes out of the leaves in the fall, leaving the reds,yellows, and oranges behind.

Answer 6

It's not wrong to say that and anyone who says it is wrong is mentally challenged. If it's a duck, call it a duck. Who gives a crap what morons think?

Answer 7

why is it wrong? why would it be wrong? they just die its just a stage where they lose their nutrients and change color

Answer 8

Its not wrong to say that.

Answer 9

is not wrong at all who told you such lie we see what we see so aint nothing bad

Answer 10

i have no idea,really.why is it bad.