a kind of camouflage
the reddish color in these young oak leaves comes from anthocyanins, which will probably also contribute to their color next fall. there are a number of theories about why this happens, but one of them is that the color discourages insects from munching on them. reddish leaves and greenish leaves in the same vicinity during the same season will see the greenish leaves visited much more often by hungry insects. Something like the opposite of us americans, who crave our red meat, and don’t really like eating our green vegetables.

just burst white oak leaves

turtle lake, shoreview, minnesota