Fall is here with its entire brilliance. Every season has its own unique beauty, but with the changing color of leaves, how can anyone not marvel over the miracle of nature?
We have two types of trees, deciduous and evergreens. The evergreen trees retain water most of the winter causing the needles to remain green and stay on the limbs. However, deciduous trees change color and lose their leaves.
During the warm season of spring and summer the green chlorophyll in leaves work to catch sunlight. Together with the sunlight and water from the tree roots, food for the leaves is made. This process of making chlorophyll is very active during the summer causing the green color to cover the other shades in the leaves.
What makes deciduous leaves change colors in the autumn and fall off the tree? Cool temperature plays a part in this change, but it is only one of many elements working in changing the shade of leaves.
When winter approaches the trees prepare for the change by blocking the water in the leaves. Without water the green chlorophyll disappears. This allows the pigments in the leaves to display their colors. Leaves do not turn another color during this process, but lose their green color allowing the other color pigments to show through the leaves. When the temperature begins to drop we anxiously watch the deciduous trees to see the beautiful changing colors of red, yellow, purple, and brown. The amount of water and temperature during the season help to determine the bright color of the leaves.
Autumn leaves are an important factor in tourism in many places. Many people travel to Chattanooga and Gatlinburg to see the marvels of fall, but sometimes the best views can be found right outside your back door here in Smith County.
Saucey Pork Chops
4 – 6 pork chops
1 can cream of mushroom soup
¼ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 onion, sliced
Brown pork chops and leave in pan. Place sliced onion over pork chops. Mix together soup, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce; pour over pork chops and onions. Cover; cook on low approximately 45 minutes. Submitted by Carolyn Blair.
(Submitted by: Mary Parker – Extension Agent)
