Photosynthesis and Fall Foliage
Maple trees grow at a slow to moderate rate, with height increases up to two feet each year. One of the critical factors is the growth of maple trees is solar radiation, which helps the trees produce its food through photosynthesis.
Changes in solar radiation slow the rate of photosynthesis in the tree. The chlorophyll (green color within the leaf) breaks down, providing the beautiful fall color of maples leaves that differs by species:
- Black maple: glowing yellow
- Red maple: brilliant scarlet
- Sugar maple: orange-red
