Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons, thanks to the gorgeous colors that come out in nature. As the weather cools down, trees start going dormant and preparing for winter by stopping their food production in their leaves. The green chlorophyll in leaves starts to break down, allowing other colorful pigments like carotenoids and anthocyanins to show through. This annual process creates a stunning palette of fall colors that people eagerly await each year. But what exactly are the top 5 colors to look for? Keep reading to find out!
Yellows and Golds
Vibrant yellows and golds are some of the first colors to appear in fall. They come from carotenoids like lutein that are present in leaves year-round, but masked by chlorophyll. Maple, birch, beech, elm, and ash trees are known for turning bright yellow. Aspen and tulip poplar leaves shift to golden hues. These warm sunny tones create a joyful landscape, signaling the transition from summer to fall. Driving through areas with lots of yellow trees or taking a hike surrounded by golden aspens is a magical fall experience. When you see pops of yellow and gold in the landscape, you know fall is on its way!
Oranges and Reds
As fall progresses, leaves shift from yellow into warmer orange and red tones. These colors also come from carotenoids, as well as anthocyanins that form in leaves as sunlight diminishes and temperatures cool. Red maple, dogwood, sumac, sweetgum, and sassafras trees are famous for turning vivid shades of red and orange. Virginia creeper vines and poison ivy also flare up in brilliant reds. Orange sugar maple leaves put on an incredible show alongside red maples and oaks. The bright oranges and reds of fall create an energetic, festive atmosphere perfect for fall festivals, tailgating, and leaf peeping trips. When you see fiery reds and oranges, you know peak fall color has arrived!
Purples and Burgundies
Alongside the bright warm tones, fall has a moody side with rich purples and burgundies. These cooler hues come from anthocyanins in leaves and provide beautiful contrast to the yellows and oranges. Red maple leaves shift into reddish-purple, while black gum and dogwood turn deep burgundy. Purple beech, cherry, plum and sumac leaves also help provide wine-colored fall beauty. The muted purples add depth and drama to the landscape. Backlit by the sun, they glow with an ethereal light. As nights grow cooler, purple tones come out more and more, signaling winter is on the horizon.
Bronzes and Browns
Eventually the show ends as fall colors give way to late autumn bronzes and browns. The chlorophyll breaks down completely, leaving behind the last remaining pigments. Oaks turn coppery-brown, beeches become bronze, and hickories transform into warm rusty shades. Evergreens like pine and spruce provide deep green contrast. As the greens fade, the landscape takes on rich earthy tones, mirroring the annual cycle of the seasons. Browns may seem mundane compared to the vivid colors of peak fall, but they have their own subtle beauty. Browns are the grand finale to nature’s fall foliage spectacle.
Multicolored Mix
One of the best aspects of fall is seeing all the colors mixed together in one landscape. When multiple tree species with different pigments grow side by side, you get a mosaic of yellow, orange, red, purple and brown leaves. Backdropped by evergreens, fall forests come alive with a full rainbow of nature’s paintbox. Places with lots of tree variety like woodlands in the Appalachians and forests in New England are famous for their wildly colorful mixed displays. There’s nothing like seeing maples, oaks, beeches, aspens and more all blended together in a kaleidoscope of color. The diversity creates natural beauty that can’t be matched.
Conclusion
Fall foliage comes in a spectacular range, with vibrant yellows, fiery oranges and reds, regal purples and burgundies, earthy bronzes and browns, and mixed multicolored displays. Each color has its own special beauty and place in the annual fall pageant. Pay attention and you’ll notice the colors progress and change week by week until winter finally sets in. No matter where you live, get out and enjoy fall’s paint palette while it lasts. The next time you’re wondering “what are the top fall colors?” – just look around at nature’s autumn masterpiece and appreciate the diverse beauty. Fall’s fleeting colors remind us to savor the present moment. Before long the leaves will fall, and winter snow will cover the ground, to nourish the earth for future growth. The natural cycle continues, and we’re left with memories of fall’s magnificent colors until next year.
