Why Do Leaves Change Colors in the Fall?

Autumn is a favorite season for a lot of us who live in north Georgia, the fall equinox, which began this year on Sept. 23, generally brings cooler weather, football games and outdoor festivals -- and another chance to view the stunning display of the array of colors as the leaves begin to change.

But just what causes the leaves to change from their summer green to the bright reds, oranges and yellows has puzzled scientists for years. The amount of rain, the temperature are some of the factors sited.

The reason they do change can be attributed to survival. According to a report on Discovery.com, "They're the result of trees doing their utmost to survive. They are the shades of evolutionary success."