The colors of fall are one of the most beloved parts of the autumn season. As the leaves on deciduous trees start to change, they display a beautiful palette of warm hues ranging from bright yellows to deep burgundies. Typically, the fall color palette is made up of 7 core colors that showcase the transformation of foliage. These colors include yellow, orange, red, burgundy, brown, olive, and rust. Each of these fall hues evokes a feeling of warmth, nostalgia, and the changing of seasons. In this article, we will explore the 7 colors that make up the quintessential fall palette.
Why Do Leaf Colors Change in the Fall?
Before diving into the specific colors, it is helpful to understand why leaves change color in autumn. This natural process occurs because of chemical changes taking place inside the leaves. During the spring and summer, leaves appear green because they contain a high amount of chlorophyll. This chlorophyll helps leaves absorb sunlight and convert it into energy through photosynthesis. However, as daylight hours grow shorter in the fall, chlorophyll starts to break down and revealing the other pigments that were masked by the green chlorophyll. These newly unmasked pigments called carotenoids and anthocyanins provide the vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds of fall foliage. The colors act as a protective layer helping leaves absorb more blue light in the dwindling autumn sunlight. Without this change, photosynthesis would not be possible. This color transformation allows the trees to efficiently prepare for winter.
The 7 Colors of Fall
Now let’s take a closer look at each of the 7 hues that make up the signature fall palette.
Yellow
Yellow is one of the first colors to emerge in fall leaves. Yellow pigments called xanthophylls already exist alongside the green chlorophyll in leaves during the warmer months but are overpowered by the abundance of green. As chlorophyll breaks down, these yellow tones start to become visible. Leaves containing mostly xanthophylls turn vibrant yellow quite early in the season, creating bright pops of color.
Orange
Orange fall foliage comes from the pigment carotene. This is the same pigment that gives carrots and other vegetables their orange hue. As chlorophyll diminishes, the orange carotene shades are unmasked. This creates leaves with stunning yellow-orange ombré effects. Trees like maple, oak, beech, dogwood, and sassafras commonly display orange leaves in autumn.
Red
Red fall leaves occur when glucose gets trapped inside leaves. This glucose reacting with sunlight and cool nights produces a red pigment called anthocyanin. The most vivid red leaves come after a succession of warm sunny days and cool, but not freezing nights. Trees like dogwood, sumac, maple and black tupelo tend to have notably red fall foliage.
Burgundy
Burgundy or wine-colored leaves result from a mixing of red and purple pigments. These deeper red-purple hues signify leaves that are at the end of the color change process. As autumn carries on, decreasing sunlight and colder weather cause the breakdown of even more chlorophyll, uncovering additional pigments that skew red leaves towards more burgundy tones.
Brown
Brown leaves occur once trees have stopped photosynthesis for the season. Chlorophyll and carotenoids have diminished significantly, leaving behind cell structures and compounds like tannins and lignin that create a classic brown fall color. Browns signify leaves that are dying and about to fall from branches. These natural browns provide an earthy contrast to the vivid yellows, oranges and reds.
Olive
Some trees naturally have a more olive green leaf color during the spring and summer due to higher levels of carotenoids. As these leaves transition in the fall, they take on a more olive-brown or Russet color rather than a typical orange-red. Trees like aspen, ash, poplar and willow commonly display olive fall hues.
Rust
Rust refers to a warm reddish-brown fall color. This hue occurs when purple anthocyanin pigments combine with the orange carotenoids still present in leaves. Rust sits between red and brown on the fall color spectrum, providing a nice bridge between the two. Leaves with these rusty tones are nearing the end of the color change process.
| Color | Pigment | Example Trees |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Xanthophylls | Birch, Cottonwood, Aspen |
| Orange | Carotene | Maple, Oak, Beech |
| Red | Anthocyanin | Dogwood, Sumac, Maple |
| Burgundy | Anthocyanin + Other Pigments | Cherry, Sourwood |
| Brown | Tannins, Lignin | Most Trees |
| Olive | Carotenoids | Aspen, Ash, Poplar |
| Rust | Anthocyanin + Carotenoids | Most Trees |
When Do Fall Colors Peak?
The timing of peak fall color varies depending on location and weather conditions each year. In general, fall foliage first starts transforming in late September in northern regions and higher elevations. It takes about two weeks for the full color change to play out.
Colors typically peak first in northern states like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine then progresses southward through October. Most areas see peak color between mid-October and early November.
The table below provides an estimated timeline of when fall foliage typically peaks in various U.S. regions.
| Region | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Northern States (VT, NH, ME) | Late September – Mid October |
| Mid-Atlantic and Midwest | Early – Mid October |
| South and Mountain States | Mid – Late October |
| Southern and Pacific Coast States | Late October – Mid November |
The most brilliant fall color tends to occur after a warm, wet spring, mild summer, warm sunny fall days and cool (not freezing) autumn nights. Dry summers and drought can delay or mute fall colors. Colder than average fall weather will also shorten the duration of peak foliage.
Where to See the Best Fall Foliage?
Certain U.S. states and regions are especially renowned for their stunning fall colors. Here are some top destinations for seeing peak autumn foliage:
- New England – Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Upstate New York
- Appalachian Mountains – Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, Southwest Virginia
- Upper Midwest – Michigan, Wisconsin, Northern Minnesota
- Rocky Mountains – Colorado, Utah
- Pacific Northwest – Oregon, Washington, Northern California
Popular scenic byways for viewing fall colors include the Blue Ridge Parkway snaking through the Appalachian Mountains, Route 100 in Vermont, the Natchez Trace Parkway across Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, and the Columbia River Highway in the Pacific Northwest.
Many state and national parks also offer spectacular autumn scenery such as Acadia National Park in Maine, Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee, and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
Conclusion
The radiant fall foliage palette is one of the most beloved treats of autumn. As summer fades, mother nature puts on a stunning show of color via the changing leaves on deciduous trees. The 7 core hues that compose this seasonal spectacle are yellow, orange, red, burgundy, brown, olive and rust. Each of these fall colors comes from specific pigments revealed as chlorophyll recedes from the leaves. Changing daylight, cool temperatures, and autumn rains all influence the precise timing and vibrancy of peak fall foliage which occurs between late September and mid November across the U.S. Escaping to see vivid fall color in action is an easy way to get into the spirit of autumn.
