Check out the fall foliage map for 2021

As of today, October 4th, 2021, central Illinois leaf color changes are rated as Patchy/Partial changed by the Fall Foliage map (SMOKEYMOUNTAINS.com). By Monday October 25th, our area is expected to be in the peak time for mandatory outdoor family photos and the sound of leaf blowers will be heard far and wide

Why do leaves change?

From SMOKEYMOUNTAINS.com:

The Science Of It All

“It all starts with photosynthesis. Leaves typically produce their vivid hues of green from spring through summer into early fall through the constant creation of Chlorophyll. As we all learned in 5th grade science, Chlorophyll is the key component in a plant’s ability to turn sunlight into glucose, which in turn feeds the trees. Many millions of these Chlorophyll cells saturate the leaves, ultimately making them appear green to the eye.

Chlorophyll is not the only player in the fall leaf-color game. Present in other leaves and trees are the compounds known as Carotenoids and Anthocyanins. As the Fall days begin to get shorter and shorter, the production of Chlorophyll slows to a halt, eventually giving way to the ‘true’ color of the leaf.

Susan Saunders 10/4/21