Maple tree leaves display different colors due to the breakdown of chlorophyll and the presence or creation of other pigments in the fall.
* Green is from chlorophyll, the dominant pigment for photosynthesis, which masks all others during the growing season.
* Yellows and oranges emerge from carotenoids (already present in the leaves) once the green chlorophyll breaks down.
* Reds and purples come from anthocyanins, which the leaves create from trapped sugars in the fall, often favoured by sunny days and cool, but not freezing, nights.
The specific shade of a maple leaf (e.g., brilliant red, deep orange, or clear yellow) depends on the unique balance of these pigments and local weather conditions.
