In the winter time from the back porch of my boyhood home in West Virginia, it was a wonderful sight to look across the old mill pond and see the sun shining on the naked trees. This frosted line extended only part of the way down the mountainside. At other times the trees would be covered with a layer of snow or ice and in the sunshine of early morning would glitter like millions of diamonds.
Springtime and summertime also displayed their own special beauty. The new early yellow green of the springtime was a welcome sight. In summer, in the late afternoon we could see the mirrored reflections of the green trees in the mill pond and dream of weekends when we would hang on to a rope tied to a tall tree on the other side of the river and swing out over the pond and let go with a yell.
However, of all the seasons, fall with its display of blazing colors is my favorite of all. What a time to go driving Route 224 east to Route 250 and see the Amish country and the isolated patches of woods in the rolling countryside. It is the edges of these patches that show the most brilliant colors. Continue on South on I-77 into the hill country of eastern Ohio and on into West Virginia where the display of fall coloration is unequaled. It is only in the mountains where we get the full effect of nature’s wild extravaganza. There we see all the variations in color caused by the changes in altitude and topography. Patches of hemlock and pine provide the perfect foil for color contrast. East River Mountain in southern West Virginia with an elevation of 4,000 feet is a favorite target for a fall trip. The best time for this trip is from October 15th to November 10th.
Here in Tiffin, the optimum coloration develops around October 20th. This weekend, perhaps the last good viewing time for this year, take a drive in Tiffin and see the many beautiful trees that we have along the city streets, in our parks and in our yards. Check out the awesome colors of different maple species on Circular and Main Streets. On Clinton Avenue, the red maple just across the railroad tracks is worth seeing. For a longer drive, try the River Road to Route 53 and visit President Hayes’ home in Fremont with their beautiful, old, unspoiled trees.
In about one month, most of our trees will be bare and prepared for a dormant season of about five months duration. In late summer a special abscission layer forms at the base of the leaves and causes an interruption of the connective tissue. Wind, rain and ice formation hastens their fall.
The abscission layer will form only on two or three year old needles-like leaves of pines, spruces, and firs. The white pines are now shedding their three year old leaves. Bald cypress and larch, both related to the so-called “evergreens”, to lose their feathery like needles every year. Both have a nice yellow coloration in the fall and can be found in our parks and campuses.
The Ginkgo with its fan-shaped leaves and motile male sperm is sole survivor of one of the most interesting families of trees. Direct ancestors of this maidenhair tree existed in many parts of the world about 180 million years ago. It survived only in China, where, most likely, all our Ginkgo trees have originated. Ginkgo is noted for its yellow coloration and also for the fact that most of its leaves will fall in a few hours in the morning after a hard freeze. At Heidelberg, there is a lottery based on the time of that leaf fall. This large tree is at the front entrance of the administration building.
In the spring time with the formation of leaves, the yellow pigments predominate. Soon, the chlorophylls mask the yellows but the yellows remain throughout the growing season. In the fall, chlorophyll synthesis stops, and the short lived chlorophyll molecules degenerate. The more stable yellows then again predominate. The red pigment, water soluble anthocyanin, which is also found in beets, develops in the vacuoles of the leaves. The development of the red pigment is enhanced by crisp, but sunny days under good growing conditions.
The sumacs including poison ivy are dark red. Virginia creeper is a very nice red vine. Tree species that are will recognized for their beautiful red colors are black gum, service berry, and dogwood. The pears are distinctive with reddish green leaves. The Bradford pear develops color very late in the fall season. The sugar maple with its mix of yellows and reds and the red maples are highly recommended.
Good shrubs for the yard would be the various species of Euonymous which are now a crimson color and will remain so for 2-3 weeks.
Is it possible that we humans are the only animal that is favored to see and appreciate and glory in the beautiful colors of fall?
- Percy