The big tree was covered in bright green leaves in the summer, but not in the winter. It was this way because the little tree elves that lived in the big tree and took care of the leaves and painted them green got very cold in the winter and went to the tropics.Right before they left, as a present to the tree, the elves would paint the leaves red and orange and yellow. The tree missed it's leaves in the winter, but he always knew they'd be back with the elves in the spring.
The elves would dance around the tree and make it green and beautiful again. Next the elves would paint on blossoms that would turn to fruit. Then the elves would keep the leaves green until fall. :-)