Oaks usually change later, after the first frost. Against a backdrop of evergreens, such as cedar, hemlock, mountain laurel, pine, and rhododendron, the brilliant colors shine from September through late October. Leaves turn an assortment of shades of reds, yellows, and oranges. Red autumn leaves are seen on dogwoods, many oaks and some sumacs. Yellows are provided by many trees including beech, birch, ash and aspen.
Some trees display more golden or orange leaves in the autumn.
For a more comprehensive summary of trees and their fall colors, press the button below. Actually, some say that trees are actually showing their true colors in the fall. During the spring and summer, leaves are green because of chlorophyll, the primary pigment in leaves that allow plants to capture light energy and convert it into food through the process of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll masks the appearance of all other accessory pigments naturally found in the leaves. At the end of the growing season, the chlorophyll starts breaking down, allowing the accessory pigments to show through.