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/t2VGsf8SPiU

00:41 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 sylvatica
17:55 Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua
23:54 Sassafras, Sassafras albidum
28:05 Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum
29:03 Oaks, Quercus spp.
31:23 Gingko, Gingko biloba
35:59 Honorable Mentions
36:10 Redbud
36:47 Honeylocust
37:04 Flowering dogwood
37:13 Bald cypress
39:30 Poison ivy
40:34 Thank yous and coming up next week

Read 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-color

Dive Deeper into Fall Color Pigments
Gardenbite: The Science Behind Fall Color - https://youtu.be/2puA2uMoXEg

Contact us! 
Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu
Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu 

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Any 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 

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