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************************************************************* Red Isn't the
Only Fall Color By Forester
Emeritus, Nebr. In What causes
fall color in trees? Why do some trees turn yellow and others red? Why
is fall color better some years than others? The dark green that we see
in the summer months is due to the chlorophyll in the leaves.
Chlorophyll is vital in the manufacture of food for the tree. This is
true in any green plant whether it is a tree, shrub or grass. In the
food-making process, chlorophylls break down and are continually used up
while sugars are produced. As the chlorophyll is used it is replaced by
the plant and this process continues through the summer. As summer comes
to an end, the chlorophyll is replaced at a slower rate and finally
comes to an end as the days grow shorter. The shorter days cause a layer
of corky tissue to form at the base of the leaves... an abscission
layer. Eventually the flow of water and minerals into the leaf is
stopped and the chlorophyll dies. With the death of the chlorophyll,
other pigments in the leaf are unmasked and begin to show through.
Unmasked pigments include the carotenoids which result in brilliant
yellows and oranges. Some trees where carotenoids are conspicuous
include ash, maple, aspen, birch, black cherry, cottonwood, tulip tree
and sycamore. Another group
of pigments called anthocyanins, are responsible for the reds, purples,
and blended combinations of these colors. Unlike the carotenoids, these
pigments have not been present in the leaf all season. Instead they
develop in late summer in the sap of the leaf cells. Their formation
depends on the breakdown of sugars in the presence of light. These
colors are more brilliant when the days are full of bright sunlight.
There is no formula to predict fall color and time of peak color
vary and are determined by complex environmental factors as well as
the genetic makeup of the plants themselves. These factors vary from
plant to plant and from region to region. The "peak" of fall
color occurs from the north to the south and the best fall color occurs
during the shortening days of autumn when days are bright, sunny and
cool, when nights are cool but not below freezing. Insect and disease
problems can reduce the brilliance of the color. When summers are hot
and dry, coloration can also be dulled. Trees that are stressed for one
reason or another begin fall color earlier than normal, sometimes even
in mid-August. You can see pictures from around the country on the
internet during the fall coloration period. Go to the Weather Channel or
just Google fall color 2010. Reprinted by
permission from Country Lanes Magazine and Country Lanes II, October
2009 issues, and Copyright 2010 ************************************************************* TIME TO BUY TULIPS-WAIT TO PLANT BY Now is the time
to buy your Tulips, Daffodils, Crocus, Dutch iris, Hyacinth, Squill, and
Allium while the selection is good. When buying Tulip, Daffodil, and
other spring blooming bulbs, many have early Spring, middle Spring, and
late Spring varieties. If
you want flowers for the whole Spring season, buy some that bloom at
different times. If you want a big splash of color all at once, get
varieties that bloom at the same time. Very early spring for Crocus,
common Snowdrops, and Siberian squill in Do not plant
Tulips, Daffodils, Crocus, and other spring blooming bulbs now. It is
too early to plant many of these bulbs as the soil is too warm.
Tulips, daffodils, and some other Spring blooming bulbs do best
when planted at least after the first week of October. It is preferable
to have the soil warm so the roots grow this fall. Planted now they will
break dormancy and then may be injured when the ground freezes. If we
have warm weather, wait until the soil temperature is 60 degrees F. or
below so the bulb does not break dormancy. Tulips can even be planted up
until the time the ground freezes hard. I have planted some around
Christmas time when we had a mild fall and the ground did not freeze
until after New Year’s Day. Also plant when the soil is fairly dry.
Wet soil packs tightly around the bulb and retards growth. If you buy your
bulbs now, store them in a cool, dry location until time to plant.
Plant tulips and daffodils about 6 to 8 inches deep, and crocus
about 3 to 4 inches deep with about a tablespoon of “Bone Meal” or
“Super-phosphate” added in the bottom of each hole.
As soon as you have finished your planting give the ground a
thorough soaking. For more
information read “NebGuide #1742 Spring Flowering Bulbs”. This is
available from your local Enjoy your
Spring flowers by planting this Fall!!! Copyright 2010 |