EPISODE · Oct 24, 2025 · 42 MIN
Ep. 229 Why Leaves Change in the Fall and Which Trees Do It Best | #Good Growing
from Good Growing · host Chris Enroth
In this episode of Good Growing, Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive into the science and spectacle of fall foliage. From the pigments behind the seasonal color shift to their favorite underappreciated trees (sorry, maples), the duo explores what makes autumn leaves so dazzling—and why some years are better than others. Learn the difference between carotenoids and anthocyanins, discover native trees that deserve more love, and find out which species drop all their leaves in one dramatic swoop. Plus, a fun detour into the origins of the words “fall” and “autumn,” and a few honorable mentions that might surprise you.Whether you call it fall, autumn, or harvest season—this episode is packed with colorful insights!Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t2VGsf8SPiU00:41 Hey Ken!01:46 Is it the Autumn or Fall season?04:47 The process occurring inside the leaves that causes color change.11:42 Ideal weather for fall color.13:14 Native trees for fall color (besides maples)14:15 Black gum, Nyssa sylvatica17:55 Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua23:54 Sassafras, Sassafras albidum28:05 Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum29:03 Oaks, Quercus spp.31:23 Gingko, Gingko biloba35:59 Honorable Mentions36:10 Redbud36:47 Honeylocust37:04 Flowering dogwood37:13 Bald cypress39:30 Poison ivy40:34 Thank yous and coming up next weekRead more about it: Falling for Autumn - https://weconservepa.org/blog/falling-for-autumn/Beyond maples: Trees for fall color - https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2023-10-20-beyond-maples-trees-fall-colorDive Deeper into Fall Color PigmentsGardenbite: The Science Behind Fall Color - https://youtu.be/2puA2uMoXEgContact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribeAny products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
What this episode covers
In this episode of Good Growing, Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive into the science and spectacle of fall foliage. From the pigments behind the seasonal color shift to their favorite underappreciated trees (sorry, maples), the duo explores what makes autumn leaves so dazzling—and why some years are better than others. Learn the difference between carotenoids and anthocyanins, discover native trees that deserve more love, and find out which species drop all their leaves in one dramatic swoop. Plus, a fun detour into the origins of the words “fall” and “autumn,” and a few honorable mentions that might surprise you.Whether you call it fall, autumn, or harvest season—this episode is packed with colorful insights!Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t2VGsf8SPiU00:41 Hey Ken!01:46 Is it the Autumn or Fall season?04:47 The process occurring inside the leaves that causes color change.11:42 Ideal weather for fall color.13:14 Native trees for fall color (besides maples)14:15 Black gum, Nyssa sylvatica17:55 Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua23:54 Sassafras, Sassafras albidum28:05 Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum29:03 Oaks, Quercus spp.31:23 Gingko, Gingko biloba35:59 Honorable Mentions36:10 Redbud36:47 Honeylocust37:04 Flowering dogwood37:13 Bald cypress39:30 Poison ivy40:34 Thank yous and coming up next weekRead more about it: Falling for Autumn - https://weconservepa.org/blog/falling-for-autumn/Beyond maples: Trees for fall color - https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2023-10-20-beyond-maples-trees-fall-colorDive Deeper into Fall Color PigmentsGardenbite: The Science Behind Fall Color - https://youtu.be/2puA2uMoXEgContact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribeAny products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
NOW PLAYING
Ep. 229 Why Leaves Change in the Fall and Which Trees Do It Best | #Good Growing
No transcript for this episode yet