iDarick t1_iu9e0t0 wrote on October 29, 2022 at 4:06 PM

Reply to comment by na3than in Eli5: What causes leaves to fall off trees? by ShookeSpear

The mechanism is called abscission - a layer of cells in the stalk of the leaf swell up and die, weakening the stalk so that the wind will dislodge the leaf. Before this happens, the tree draws resources out of the leaf (senescence), which causes the change in colour from green to browns and reds.

na3than t1_iu9e5kh wrote on October 29, 2022 at 4:07 PM

Great answer. Thank you.

iDarick t1_iu9ebuk wrote on October 29, 2022 at 4:08 PM

Anytime

iDarick t1_iu9e3ra wrote on October 29, 2022 at 4:07 PM

Some folks have no chill huh