November 5, 2005
This young Red Maple (Acer rubrum) between Lusitania Field and Fresh Pond, produces an annual burst of color that far outshines that of any of its neighbors. The red color in these leaves is caused by the formation of anthocyanins, the result of increasing sugar concentrations in the dying leaves. At Fresh Pond, red maples, red oaks, black gums, sumacs, and poison ivy all produce bright red leaves