Leaves grow, change, and eventually fall off trees in a continuous process called the leaf cycle.
Stage 1: Growth (Spring) Trees usually produce new leaves in Spring. These leaves are small, tender and green. These leaves contain tiny factories called chloroplasts that help make food from the sunlight. Stage 2: Maturing (Summer) The leaves of the trees grow and they mature. These leaves produces food to the tree through a process called photosynthesis. The green pigment in the leaves is called chlorophyll and this helps the leave to absorb sunlight. Stage 3: Change (Autumn) During Autumn, the days are shorter and the temperatures starts to cool down. The trees are now preparing for Winter by slowing their growth. The chlorophyll breaks down and the leaves start to change colour to red, yellow and orange. After the leaves have changed colour, it starts to fall off the trees. Stage 4: Rest (Winter) During Winter, the trees rest and they conserve their energy. New buds will develop, ready for Spring growth.