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Name: Corey
Status: student
Age: 13
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 9/28/2004
Question:
Why do some trees lose their leaves faster than others?

Replies:
The timing of leaf color change and leaf fall for particular species appears to be genetically controlled. The following should be helpful:

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fs/colors/colors.htm

Anthony Brach Ph.D.

Dear Corey,

Trees lose their leaves faster or slower because of two things. First, trees are programmed to lose their leaves under specific conditions of lower temperatures or shorter daylength. For example, some trees might be programmed to drop their leaves when they have a week of 45 degree weather and others after a week of 40 degree weather. The second way to lose leaves faster or slower is because of where they are living. There may differences even within 100 feet of two trees. There may be more or less water. There may be better nutrients in one place than another.

Best regards,

Jim Tokuhisa


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