Maple Tree, Autumn 11" Tall William Britain (53022)

Features

• Model is approximately 11" tall
• Polyresin construction
• Hand painted and ready for display

During the fall, as the stems of maple leaves shut off from a tree's branches, leftover glucose trapped in the leaves is used to increase the level of anthocyanin. Chilly nights that stay above freezing promote anthocyanin production. Both carotenoid and flavonoid compounds contribute to orange leaf color, especially the carotenoid beta-carotene, the same chemical that makes carrots orange. Beta-carotene absorbs blue and green light waves and reflects yellow and red, which makes it appear orange in maple leaves. Yellow leaf color comes predominantly from the cartenoid xanthophylls, which is similar to the pigment that makes egg yolks yellow. Brown leaf color comes from tannins, waste products that are left after the other colors fade.