The age-old oak trees in the shade of which guests spend many a summer’s day, is one of the welcoming attributes of La Motte estate during the warm months of the year. In autumn, however, the lush greenery changes into a splendour of orange, gold-brown and deep red that urges drivers-by to pull over and take a picture of the oak-tree lined avenue running up to the historic manor house on the estate.

Popular under photographers: The oak-tree lined avenue in its autumn attire.

But after the balmy days of autumn, when the cold and rain hit the Cape Winelands, the brave trees face the winter with bare arms.What happens to the lush greenery when autumn arrives? Why do the leaves change colour and eventually fall off?

Leaves are green because of the presence of chlorophyll , the ingredient responsible for photosynthesis. (Photosynthesis is the process through which the plant uses sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to form oxygen and glucose.)

The yellow, orange and red colours we see in autumn are always present in the leaves but are dominated by the green. During autumn, when days are shorter and sunlight more mellow, less chlorophyll is produced and the green colour of the leave becomes less intense, allowing the other shades to shine through. When a leave colours into brown, it is usually because of the presence of tannins.

The intense red of the oak tree next to Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant!

But why do the leaves eventually fall off?

At the base of each leaf is a special layer of cells that transports water between the leaf and tree during summer months. When the colder weather arrives, the cells turn into a cork-like substance prohibiting the flow between leaf and tree, the chlorophyll starts to disappear, the leaf changes colour and eventually falls off.

While it seems almost cruel that the beautiful oak trees have to face winter without their foliage, visitors braving the cold to enjoy the wonderful wine and food of the Franschhoek Valley at this time of year, will attest to the romantic picture of the historic Cape Dutch buildings through stark and bare branches.

Featured image: The Garden Team at La Motte enjoys the beauty of autumn

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