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It's one of the most often asked questions about Autumn;
why do leaves change colors?
To answer it you have to factor in several different elements.
One is shorter daylight hours in the fall.
Another is cooler temperatures.
A third factor is a little more complex.
It involves the breakdown of chlorophyll in the leaves. Missouri has a variety of plants and
trees that produce
an explosion of color in the fall. From oaks, maples and hickories to ash, sumac and dogwoods.
They all change colors at slightly different times, and some are more vivid than others.
In Missouri,
fall colors usually peak in mid-October.
Some of the first to show their colors are the reds from sumac, dogwoods and Virginia creeper.
Next to shine through are the yellow hues found in hickories.
Maples and ash produce a variety of orange, yellow and reds.
And later on,
look for oaks that have more suttle golds,
bronze and burgundy colors.
Some of the best places to find Missouri's fall colors are along the rivers of the state,
especially along the bluffs where trees are exposed to more sunlight producing
vivid colors.
One favorite drive is along the Missouri River on highway 94
from Jefferson City to Hermann.
Another is on highway 79 from Louisiana to Hannibal along the Mississippi.