Many people will say their favourite time of the year is autumn when trees are full of vibrant colours. However, some people are less happy about the season, especially when the leaves start to fall and cause problems. They can easily clog drains and gutters, leave stains on driveways and patios, and even cause slips and falls. We can help tackle some of the problems, including roofing and guttering. In fact, we’re the best provider or roof cleaning in Windsor and other parts of Berkshire.
Whether you like autumn or not, do you know what actually causes trees to lose their leaves? The science is really interesting, so we want to have a closer look here.
Colour change
The vast majority of trees and plants are green for a large part of the year. This is because of the amount of chlorophyll. It is an essential pigment, helping the tree or plant to generate as much energy as possible from photosynthesis.
The best way to look at it is most trees and plants store a huge amount of energy from during spring and summer months. When autumn arrives, bringing colder temperatures and less sun, they stop producing chlorophyll. Instead, they produce more carotenoids and anthocyanins. The first makes leaves turn yellow, while the latter makes them red and pink.
Why do leaves fall?
Now that you know why the leaves change colour, let’s look at why trees actually shed them. Then, if you need to arrange gutter and roof cleaning in Windsor, you can trust us.
It all happens because of cells creating an abscission layer in the leaves. Throughout the growing season, the tree’s hormones are pretty stable. As it gets colder though, there is a reduction in auxin. So, the bond between a leaf and the branch weakens, eventually making it weak enough that the wind will break it.
There are actually three main reasons why trees lose their leaves in autumn. Firstly is the fact they need to conserve energy when the weather is colder. So, shedding the leaves is important.
Secondly, trees need to conserve moisture during drier, colder months. They lose their leaves to do this. As a result, it can prevent issues like shrinkage, cracking, and warping, as well as a number of related problems.
Finally, losing the leaves can actually make trees more aerodynamic, allowing wind to blow more easily through the branches. It reduces stress on the trunk. This is very important in dry, cold winters when the wind can really pick up.
Do you need roof cleaning in Windsor to get rid of leaves and other problems?
Leaves are one of the biggest problems in autumn. They can get on roofs and clog gutters. If you don’t take care of them, you could end up with clogs, leaks, damp, mould, and broken guttering. So, it is best to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Berkshire Roof Clean is the ideal company if you want a professional service. We work safely and efficiently, using the best methods to protect your property and deliver outstanding results. You can contact us if you want advice or a quote for roof cleaning in Windsor. We achieve the highest standards, and have plenty of happy customers that rely on us.