FOLIAGE: WHAT IT IS AND WHERE TO ADMIRE THE SPECTACLE OF AUTUMN LEAVES - LIFESTYLE

Foliage: what it is and where to admire the colors of the autumn leaves

It is not true that the most popular seasons are always and only spring and summer. Autumn and winter also have particularities that make them fascinating periods of the year and perfect for some activities. As for autumn, how can one not appreciate the soft light of sunny days, the first cups of tea or hot chocolate sipped while reading a book and the wonderful landscapes offered by Mother Nature?

If we think of autumn, the first thing that comes to mind are certainly the extraordinary colors that the leaves of the trees take on. Whether you are immersed in the forest or are simply walking in a park in the city, the nuances taken on by many plants conquer even the staunchest detractors of this season. The colors of the autumn leaves are defined "foliage", a term that is heard more and more often but that not everyone knows exactly what it means.

In this article we will discover not only the origin of this word, but also what are the favorite destinations for foliage lovers, from Italy to Europe to the rest of the world with New England, Canada and Japan.

What is the foliage?

On first reading, the term foliage would seem to be of French derivation and it could have been coined ad hoc to describe autumn colors. Nothing more wrong. The word foliage derives from "English"fall foliage"and has the generic meaning of" foliage "as its first meaning. Only recently has it become part of our vocabulary to indicate the spectacular colors that color the trees during the autumn, also thanks to the" trend "on social networks of the homonymous hashtag , that is #foliage. Between the end of September, October and November, especially on Instagram, there are hundreds of thousands of photos taken by lovers of this incomparable scenery of nature.

Why do tree leaves change color?

The wonder of autumn colors, however, has a very specific explanation. In fact, already at the end of the summer it is possible to notice how the days get shorter and how the temperatures begin to drop significantly. These factors gradually lead to the decrease in the production of chlorophyll by the trees. It is precisely the chlorophyll that makes us perceive the leaves of green plants covering the other pigments present in them. When it fails, the other components of the leaves take prominence and all this causes them to take on different colors, depending on the level of pigments contained. For example, the leaves rich in carotenoids stand out for their yellow, orange and / or brown color, while those where flavonoids prevail are tinged with a bright red, like maple.

Obviously, trees have different shades depending on their species and the climate in which they live. The foliage occurs in temperate areas and some scholars have pointed out that the change in color is also due to a sort of natural "protection" of the plant against certain insects. Going from green to bright colors like orange, yellow and red, the hues of autumn could be a deterrent to pests because they would see them as a warning sign.

The beneficial effects of foliage

Like everything we come into contact with, nature and colors also have certain effects on our mind. For years, for example, chromotherapy has been dealing with various studies on how different shades have an influence on the human body and psyche. In the case of landscapes where it is possible to admire the foliage, it is noted how the combination between nature and the colors of autumn is particularly successful. In fact, if already walking in complete tranquility among meadows, woods and forests helps to breathe a "better air than in the city, to relax the mind and to release tension and stress, walking among the trees with autumnal colors amplifies even more. this effect.

Most likely the explanation for all this is to be found in the warm colors assumed by the plants. Yellow, red, orange and brown are warm shades par excellence and the way they show themselves on the leaves makes our minds even more relaxed. In addition, surrounding yourself with a landscape emblematic of foliage usually means immersing yourself in a peaceful and silent place, where the only movements are caused by the fall of the leaves and the possible movements of small animals. In a frenetic reality like the modern one, this experience is a real panacea for the spirit and beyond.

The destinations to admire the foliage in Italy

Our country is full of ideal destinations for a journey to discover the foliage. Starting from Northern Italy, we cannot fail to mention Trentino Alto Adige, Valle d'Aosta and Veneto. Trentino Alto Adige offers unforgettable scenarios during this period of the year in Val di Non and Val di Funes, while Valle d'Aosta and Veneto stand out respectively for the Gran Paradiso National Park and the Bosco del Cansiglio. Do not forget the breathtaking views of Piedmont, in the Langhe region, and of Lombardy in Valtellina, where the colors of autumn take the place of the frenzy of the big cities. .

If in Emilia Romagna there are the Piacenza hills ready to enchant and between the Marche and Umbria the Sibillini Mountains, in Tuscany the Casentinesi Forests National Park reigns, a real institution for lovers of foliage, where the trees range from yellow to purple Likewise, an excursion of one or more days in the National Park of Abruzzo or in the woods of the Cimini Mountains in Lazio will not disappoint.

Finally, in the South, we highly recommend Campania with its Picentini Mountains Park or Calabria and the wonderful Sila National Park. In Sicily, on the other hand, there is the unmissable walk on the Nebrodi Mountains where, in addition to admiring the autumn foliage, it is possible to trek almost to the top of Etna.

Where to see the foliage abroad

The journey in search of the perfect foliage can also continue abroad both in Europe and elsewhere. Remaining closer to Italy, you can find splendid autumnal landscapes in France, in the Loire region, and in England, in particular in the Lake District. where to the melancholy fall of the leaves are added the enchanting plays of light created by the many lakes in the area.

Moving outside the European continent, we find what is considered the "queen area of foliage, or that of New England, in the United States. Developed between the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, this region it offers lovers of the colors of autumn and not only unique shows of their kind. Neighboring Canada will not disappoint either, especially in the Alberta region.

Finally, we cannot forget Japan, whose maples and other varieties of plants are colored red, yellow and orange, making its views with the famous bridges or temples even more suggestive.