Hi, I have a fiery maple tree and the leaves are turning beautiful! I want to dry some of the leaves and frame them to hang on my wall. What is the best way to dry them so as to preserve as much color as possible? Thank you.

-Carol

There are several things you can do. The problem is that they will lose the vibrantcy of the colors, and gradually become a bit duller. Still, they can make a very nice show for a few months.

Easiest I’ve found is to carefully lay them in the pages of the phone book for about 4 to 7 days. The paper dries them, and the book keeps them flat. Be sure you have about 20 pages between leaves.

When they are dry, handle them very carefully, as they will be brittle. Lay them on the glass of a picture frame, place a piece of white or colored paper over them, then a sheet of corrugated cardboard cut to the size of the frame. Secure the back, and hang your masterpiece. This is a great project for kids of all ages, too.

One last thing. After the leaves are quite dry, you can try using a spray-on clear finish. This may add to their durability, and sometimes brings back the sheen and vibrancy of the colors. You may have to experiment. Let the finish dry before mounting or handling the leaves.

Have fun!

--
Russ Carlson, RCA

If you are interested in more information about fall leaf colors, read this technical report:
Autumn Coloration

--
Russ Carlson,RCA