Fall Foliage

This fall foliage picture was taken along the Mississippi section of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

In middle to late October, the maple, hickory, oak and other hardwood trees begin to change colors and visitors have the opportunity to view the brilliant fall foliage along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Fall color - one of the most spectacular shows on earth - is a natural phenomena. And while fall color doesn't happen everywhere, it takes place around the same time each year where it occurs.

Trees make sugar from the energy of the sun through a process called photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves, absorbs the energy trees need to photosynthesize.

Fire Power Nandina



A fine upright evergreen shrub, the Firepower Nandina displays rich red and burgundy winter foliage on its compact frame. From mid to late summer, the Firepower Nandina grows conical panicles up to 16 inches long of lovely small white flowers with star-shaped petals with large yellow anthers.

As fall approaches the weather cools and something else happens too. The days get shorter.

Less daylight = less energy = less sugar. And it also equals less chlorophyll. This green pigment breaks down as the photosynthesis factory slows.

Carotenoids and xanthopylls, pigments that produce yellow and orange, are present in tree leaves year round but they aren't as strong as chlorophyll. When chlorophyll fades carotenoids and xanthopylls shine turning fall leaves from green to yellow and orange.

Anthocyanins, pigments that make purple and red, are something different all together. Not all trees produce anthocyanins. Those that do produce it only in fall.