Scientists solve riddle of why leaves change colour – only to fall off shortly after

Leaves changing colour before winter sets in and they fall is a familiar sight – captured here in the contrast between birch trees (yellow), beech (red) and evergreen pines in a forest near Gdynia in Poland’s Pomerania.

Scientists recently answered the question of why plants might expend energy producing red pigment in leaves – only for them to fall off.

Scientists solve riddle of why leaves change colour – only to fall off shortly after | Mail Online