The Beginning: Green Trees

This scene comes from one side of the observatory field.
To start off with all of the trees are still green, unless they are dead or dying, as a few in the picture are. Some evergreens are mixed in and they will continue to be the only greenery as the next few weeks and pictures come.

The question of why do leaves change color is one that has not been answered. Some scientists have hypothesized about it and over time some have been proven wrong but none have been proven right. The main idea is that the tree is saving energy by degrading the chlorophyll in the leaves during senescence. The chlorophyll is what causes the green coloring of leaves. When the chlorophyll degrades it allows the xanthophyll pigments to come through giving a yellow color to the leaves. The other color, red, is actually produced during this time and comes from anthocyanins.

 Two species in the picture are the amur honeysuckle, the american holly and the eastern red cedar. The amur honeysuckle is a deciduous shrub. The branches can grow up to 30 feet tall and the tempting red berries are poisonous. The amur honeysuckle is an invasive species and has survived in many different regions because of it's durability. The american holly is a broadleaf evergreen tree. The leaves are alternate and the fruit usually lasts into the winter. It is often used as holiday decorations. The eastern red cedar is an evergreen. It is a medium sized dioecious tree. The wood is very durable and it provides food and shelter to many animals. Many indian tribes used the berries, needles, cones and wood for remedies to cure ailments such as asthma, fever, cough, sore throat, and many more. Since the wood was so durable it was also used for many other purposes such as roofs, canoes, and bedding to name a few.