Why are the leaves of deciduous trees such as maple trees green in the summer and yellow and red in the fall?

The leaves of deciduous trees, like maple trees, are green in the summer due to the presence of chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis. As autumn approaches and temperatures drop, chlorophyll production slows and eventually ceases, revealing other pigments such as carotenoids (which produce yellow) and anthocyanins (which produce red). These changes in pigment composition result in the vibrant fall colors we associate with deciduous trees. Additionally, environmental factors such as light and moisture can influence the intensity of these colors.