Why do leaves fall?
Turns out, there are lots of reasons.
Typing “why do leaves fall” in to Google felt like an easy ask.
My guess, before searching, was that it had something to do with photosynthesis. Plants need sun to grow. There’s less sun in the winter. Therefore, less leaves.
For how nonsensical yet strangely rooted in some distant educational theory this thought may sound, I was still surprised that photosynthesis was in fact one of the seven reasons listed for why leaves fall. It was second to last on the list, but it was still on there.
The top four reasons for why leaves fall, according to the internet, are this:
Conserving energy
Protecting from damage
Reducing strain
Starting fresh
I can’t stop thinking about how human those things are.
That list reads like the answer to “why do we need eight hours of sleep.” Or “what are the benefits of blue light glasses.” Or even “why do people end romantic relationships.”
But no, that’s talking about trees and the decisions they make around the end of the year.
They (trees) make it a priority to conserve energy, protect themselves, reduce strain, and start fresh.
Sometimes, I observe things and realize there is a deeper meaning to what would otherwise be considered mundane or innocuous. And then it takes some time to think and tease out that deeper meaning.
Other times, the deeper meaning makes zero attempt to hide.
This is one of those.
Trees, I think, are still rooted (pun) closer to their original design than humans are. We’ve wandered farther and farther away from our original path, whereas today’s trees are basically doing the exact same thing that the very first trees did.
They’re sticking to their rhythms. They’re initiating and benefitting from change. They’re growing.
There’s not much to do with that other than notice it. And our front yard is absolutely covered in leaves.
Thanks for reading this far.
-jd
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Content
E.B. White - Talk about a who guy knows how to observe things.
Dark Matter - Truly electric television. I would highly recommend. It’s kind of terrifying and bizarre and unpredictable. Stayed up until well after midnight to finish the last four episodes. There’s a point about two thirds of the way through where it goes from pretty good to impossible to turn off.
Acquired: Nike - Phil Knight was kind of an odd duck. It’s weird that running used to not be a thing. Michael Jordan is singular.
Camera Roll
I’m enjoying adding pictures to Strava right now. And obviously, I was going to include a picture of leaves here.
Question
Do you have any annual rhythms? Something you do every year at the beginning, middle, or end? I don’t know if I do…
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