Why Do Leafy Trees Change Their Look from Season to Season? Explanation for 7-Year-Olds

Hi there! Have you ever noticed that leafy trees look different depending on the time of year? Sometimes the leaves are green, sometimes they change color, and sometimes the tree looks empty without any leaves. Let's explore why this happens!

1. What Are Leafy Trees?

Leafy trees are trees that have lots of leaves, like oak, maple, and birch trees. The leaves help the tree make food using sunlight, kind of like how you eat food to get energy.

2. How Do Leaves Help the Tree?

The leaves use sunlight, water, and air to make food in a process called photosynthesis. The green color comes from something called chlorophyll, which helps the leaf make food.

3. Why Do Trees Change in Different Seasons?

Trees want to save energy when it gets cold in the fall and winter, so they stop making food. To do this, they get rid of their leaves. Before the leaves fall, the color changes because the green chlorophyll fades away and other colors like red, orange, and yellow appear.

4. What Happens in Each Season?

• Spring: Trees grow new green leaves.
• Summer: Leaves are full of green chlorophyll and help the tree make food.
• Fall (Autumn): Leaves change color and then fall off.
• Winter: Trees have no leaves and rest until spring.

So, the changing look of leafy trees is their way of adapting to different seasons and taking care of themselves!