Autumn, the colorful season.

Leaves collected in the last days from tree species we are going to plant in the spring as part of our ongoing effort to regenerate resilient mixed forests in place of wind-damaged spruce forests in the Eastern Carpathians.

European beech (Fagus sylvatica)

During the ever shorter autumn days, in the leaves of the deciduous trees the various decomposition processes break down the molecules of the chlorophyll (among other) in the leaves.  This is necessary because, in preparation for winter, the plant strives to recover every possible nutrient from its leaves so that it can later get rid of them with the least sacrifice, thereby reducing the surface exposed to harsh weather. The breakdown products of chlorophyll are already colorless, so the green color gradually fades, revealing the more stable yellow and orange pigments (carotenoids and flavonoids).

This is a profane description of the magic happening in the autumn forests. :)

Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus)

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)

and the more steadfast conifers - the spruce (Picea abies) on the picture