Leaf yellowing and leaf fall are a significant time in the US, stretching from Maine to Georgia (in the south) and the Rocky Mountains (in the west), particularly in the country's north-west region. The vibrant autumn colours attract travellers, amounting to around 8 billion US dollars in tourism revenue in New England alone (New England is a US region comprising six states — Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut).

As a forest scientist (referring to the author of the article), I often ask myself: "Does a changing climate affect leaf fall and its colours, and if so, how?" In 2021, prolonged warm and wet weather conditions reduced the vibrancy of autumn colours, especially in the US north-west and the mid-Atlantic region.