Why Are Tree Leaves Green?

Look at the trees. Their leaves are green. Why?

Leaves have a special job. They make food for the tree. They need three things: water from the ground, air, and sunlight.

Inside every leaf, there is a tiny worker. Its name is chlorophyll. Chlorophyll gives the leaf its green color.

Chlorophyll likes the sun. It catches sunlight. The leaf uses this sunlight to turn water and air into food. The tree eats this food to grow big and strong.

Why is chlorophyll green? It takes red light and blue light from the sun. It does not like green light. It pushes green light away. Our eyes see this green light. That is why the leaves look green to us.

When autumn comes, the weather gets cold. The tree stops making food. The green chlorophyll goes away. Then we see yellow, orange, and red colors hiding under the green.

What color are the leaves on your favorite tree?