A row of eight leaves arranged from left to right, gradually changing color from green to yellow to orange to red, displayed on a white background.

The Arboretum becomes a riot of color in the fall with leaves turning deep red, fiery orange, and bright yellow. Have you ever wondered why this happens every autumn? Outdoor Educator Ana Maria Caballero will take us through the science of fall leaf color, including an exploration of pigments and abscission, a hands-on experiment to reveal the array of pigments present in every leaf, and a walk in the landscape to take a closer look at leaves in all phases of color change.

Accessibility: This program includes a short walk over pavement, grass, and gravel. The science experiment will use either acetone or rubbing alcohol so participants will be in close proximity to these substances.

Audience: This program is geared towards adults

Inclement weather policy: Participants will be notified via email at least one day in advance if a program needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather, and will be notified by phone if a program must be cancelled with less one day’s notice. Click here to view our full inclement weather policy. If you have questions about the status of a program, please email publicprograms@arnarb.harvard.edu (inbox monitored on weekdays) or call the Visitor Center desk between 10:00am and 4:00pm at (617) 384-5209.

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Date & Time

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Location

Hunnewell Lecture Hall

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Directions

By subway

Take the MBTA Orange Line to its southern end—Forest Hills. Exit through the door marked “Arnold Arboretum,” cross Washington Street, and walk up Arborway to the Arboretum’s Forest Hills Gate on your left. To reach the Arboretum’s Arborway Gate and the Hunnewell Building, continue along the sidewalk on the Arborway to the Arborway Gate (about 12 minutes), or go through the gate, bear right at the pond, and continue to the Hunnewell Building, which will be on your left. The Lecture Hall is located inside the Hunnewell Building.

By bus

Take the #39 bus to the South Street @ Bardwell Street stop in Jamaica Plain. Walk down South Street away from Bardwell Street, take a right on Custer Street, and walk down Custer Street until it ends. Turn right and walk about 300 feet down Arborway to the Arboretum’s Arborway Gate, which will be across the street. The Lecture Hall is located in the Hunnewell Building, just inside the gate on your right.

By car

There is public street parking on Arborway, including six designated accessible spots on either side of the gate. Parking on Arborway can sometimes fill up and you may need to walk a little ways from your parking spot to the gate. Please allow for extra time to account for this, especially during the spring and for large programs like lectures and performances.

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