October 13…Tulip tree is still holding on, but more colored leaves can be seen. The sun is lower on the horizon as can be seen by the shadow on the left side.
The blue sky is disappearing tomorrow for a while. It’s been so good to get sunshine this late in the season, but that’s coming to an end soon.
These leaves are starting to lose their chlorophyll enabling the other colors to be visible.
Why do leaves change color in the autumn?
According to Garden at School, “Basically, leaves are made up of several components that affect their color. Chlorophyll is the part of the leaf that gives it its green color, and its presence is so strong that it can cover up the color of the other components of the leaf. In the fall, trees sense that the days are becoming shorter and the weather is cooler. As a result, it stops sending up water and energy to the leaves and so the chlorophyll dies. Once the chlorophyll is gone, the other colors can shine through.”
A few leaves have dropped. Not enough to rake up yet, but it won’t be too long. I’m actually looking forward to getting this valuable treasure for my garden.
I’ve been ‘following’ this seed pod trying to be there when it opens. I’m beginning to doubt that it will open. But if it does, I’d like to plant the seeds just for fun.
New leaves are still forming, so this tree is not ready to call it quits just yet.
Adventures in Natural Beekeeping 
Your tulip tree is incredibly lush and leaf-full. It could hardly have jammed any more leaves onto its branches. Initially I was puzzled by the way the fallen ones are arranged in lines then realised its roots under the grass must be shuffling them into rows.
Yes, that’s a sharp observation. I didn’t notice it at first. There are some shallow roots allowing the leaves to fall in the valleys between. Of course when it comes time to rake, the leaves will be several inches deep.
Some people say reading about the chlorophyll or the scientific part of plants takes away from the beauty or awe of nature.
I think knowing about the changes makes it all the more wonderful. Something amazing is always happening in the plant world.
Believe it or not, I never learned the scientific part. I had to look that up. I’m learning grammar school biology in my 60’s. My wife is reading a book, “A Garden of Marvels,” by Ruth Kassinger. One of the topics she covers is about the green sea slug (Eylisa chlorotica) which is part plant and part animal. When it hatches, it’s brown, but after it sips from an algae plant, it gets chloroplasts from the algae and never has to eat again. It becomes green and photosynthesizes like a leaf. Now that is fascinating!
That’s the most extraordinary information I’ve come across in ages. I was so gripped by it I Googled Eylisa chlorotica and learned that this creature even looks like a leaf! I won’t be able to stop thinking about it for ages. How come we aren’t introduced to Green Sea Slugs when we are in infant school along with Lions and Tigers?
Indeed that is fascinating! I rather like eating, so glad we don’t do that.
😉
No shame in reading grammar school stuff. I found a high school history course on line and am thoroughly enjoying it and finally understanding it!!
It is a very lovely tree, lovely shape and nice leaves, will the whole tree change colour..
Amanda
The Tulip tree has been a real learning experience for me. It started out as a mystery tree, but by the time the leaves had formed, several people identified it for me. The owners have let me gather the leaves which I use in my veggie (and bee flower) garden.
The leaves should turn yellow-gold-brown by late November. As a rule, we won’t rake until early December. The tree holds onto the leaves as long as it can.
Following the path of a tree as it marches on into autumn, it’s lovely 🙂