The quaking aspen and its trembling leaves are still a source of wonder. The key to their fall hues lies not in myth, but in the natural environment.
Weather can dictate a good or poor year for color, and the fall display can last from days to weeks.
The Indians answered their questioning with an enduring tale. The scientific explanation is based on variations in temperature, moisture, and light. These factors set the internal chemical changes in motion. A close examination of the aspen buds in springtime reveals many hues hidden within the leaves. As the foliage matures, chlorophyll, the green pigment, carries on photosynthesis, converting sunshine into food and energy.