In the Oct. 27 issue of the Insider, “Inquisitive” asked why some leaves are falling before they turn color.
I do not blame the Revelator for giving that question a polite brush off. (Ed. – Specifically, we said the leaves were mostly dead now so it was old news.)
In a recent issue of “Audubon,” when describing why leaves turn color in the fall, Les Line wrote, “It’s a phenomenon that science cannot fully explain.” He further stated, “As foresters tell us, a perfect autumn display depends on complicated actions and interactions inside and outside the tree that involve pigments, hormones, chemicals, genetic traits, sunlight, rainfall, site, soil conditions, temperature and the length of day light. For a start.”
If science has difficulty in pinpointing the exact reasons why the fall foliage bursts into a kaleidoscope of brilliant hues, it might equally have difficulty in explaining why some leaves drop before being clothed in color.
Line notes that each year, researchers seem to announce new theories about the “autumn senescence” of changing color and falling leaves. With so many different factors playing a role in determining whether the leaves that fall are tinted or non-tinted, tree detectives have their work cut out for them.
In observing that some leaves are shed before taking time to be painted, Inquisitive is in good company.
Henry Thoreau, in his essay, “Autumnal Tints,” writes, “Some trees appear to have dropped their leaves instantaneously. . . . Down they come on all sides at the first earnest touch of autumn’s wand, making a sound like rain.” He added, “After some remarkably warm Indian-Summer days, I perceive that it is the unusual heat which, more than anything, causes the leaves to fall.”
However, in his essay, Thoreau did not pursue any further the scientific reasons for the autumn senescence. He wrote. “I am more interested in the rosy cheeks than I am to know what particular diet the maiden fed on”.
Joanna Novembrino, teacher of the photography course I am taking in the Concord Community Education Program at the Concord High School, said, “True beauty always has a sense of mystery.”
There will forever be a sense of mystery about the New England autumn. I commend Inquisitive for being an astute observer of nature and for asking a provocative question. Also, I applaud the Revelator for not rushing in where botanical angels fear to tread.
