Yellow ochres, rusty reds, warm oranges on leaves — the colors of fall are a visual feast that many eagerly anticipate each year. But do you know the science behind why leaves change colors before they fall from the trees?

Ben Heusinkvelt, orchard and grounds manager and certified arborist at Arbor Day Farm, shed light on this natural transformation on the Arbor Day Foundation website.

Heusinkvelt explained that the vibrant autumnal hues result from trees preparing for winter. You may remember form grade school that during the growing season, leaves are rich in chlorophyll, which gives them their green color. As the days shorten and temperatures drop, trees cease producing chlorophyll.

"They stop making chlorophyll in the leaves, which allows the other pigments to shine," Heusinkvelt said.

What you may not know is why autumn leaves display the shades they do. According to Heusinkvelt, the colors seen in fall depend on which pigments are left behind after chlorophyll fades. Red and purple shades come from anthocyanins, while carotenoids produce oranges and yellows.

"How much of each pigment, and therefore the color of the fall leaf, depends on the tree variety and its location," Heusinkvelt said.

The quality of fall colors can vary from year to year, influenced by weather conditions. Sunlight, water, and temperature throughout the year, especially leading into fall, affect the intensity and duration of the color change.

So, what's the perfect formula for a beautiful autumn?

"Rainy, cool springs followed by mild summers and cold fall nights tend to be the best recipe for fall colors," Heusinkvelt said.