Fall Color Coming Later? Blame CO2

[Shirleypal]

Released: 9/18/2009 1:00 PM EDT
Source: Michigan Technological University
Newswise — Do those fall colors seem to show up later and later? Scientists say we can blame increasing amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for prolonging the growing season of trees.

“Carbon dioxide fools the trees,” says Wendy Jones, a research associate at Michigan Technological University who conducts research at the Aspen FACE site in northern Wisconsin. “They think they should still be growing when they ought to be going through autumnal senescence”—changing their colors and settling down for a long winter’s nap.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/556342/?sc=sph

I have noticed this in recent years, used to be Labor Day would come, would strat to get cold and the leaves would be turning, no longer, seems it doesn't start to mid October here.

[Shirleypal]

Why Are Autumn Leaves Red in America and Yellow in Europe?
Released: 8/13/2009 8:45 AM EDT
Source: University of Haifa

Newswise — Walking outdoors in the fall, the splendidly colorful leaves adorning the trees are a delight to the eye. In Europe these autumn leaves are mostly yellow, while the United States and East Asia boast lustrous red foliage. But why is it that there are such differences in autumnal hues around the world? A new theory provided by Prof. Simcha Lev-Yadun of the Department of Science Education- Biology at the University of Haifa-Oranim and Prof. Jarmo Holopainen of the University of Kuopio in Finland and published in the journal New Phytologist proposes taking a step 35 million years back to solve the color mystery.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/555190/?sc=sph

[megman]

Leaves have started changing here already. going to a low of 34F on Sunday.

[badspell]

I’ve always thought the sugar content, inspired by the amount of rain plays a large role in fall colors.