Thread: Leaves on trees

Here's a link to some folklore that you might find interesting.
http://www.cyberlodg.com/mattdennis/ktc/folk.htm

As for the leaves turning before a rain, yes, but it is usually caused by a change in the prevailing winds. The leaves usually grow in the same direction as the local prevailing winds and when there is a change in the winds this turns the leaves. A change in prevailing winds normally indicates the approach of rain.

I never even knew they turned. Learn something new everyday...

Originally Posted by sheila_361

I never even knew they turned. Learn something new everyday...

Can tell you ain't no country girl!

The one about the cows is sooooo true. We used to live across/down the road from a dairy farm. Never failed that when the cows laid down in the field we would have a storm. Now, if they are laying under a shade tree...that's different, they are just staying cool. You don't usually see them up under the trees during a storm.

Do silver maple tree leaves really "turn over" before it rains? Is there a scientific reason why
Sho'nuff they do, Dave. So do poplar leaves and other species. And the dandelions close up. As the old sayng goes: "When leaves show their undersides, a sure thing the rain betides" Or something like that.

One of the most accurate means of short term and local storm forecasting, the leaves are actually reacting to sudden changes in humidity which typically run in advance of the storm itself, the rain, thunder and lightning. Maple, poplar and other species with soft stems to the leaves become a bit more limp under the quick change in humidity, and therefore the wind flips the leaves over -exactly as you, I, and, and all those "old wives" who give us tales have noticed