Juniper dormancy colours?

[wireme]

Hiya, I was just wondering about the colour some junipers become during dormancy, what's up with that? What's the purpose? I am assuming some kind of energy re-allocation from foliage to roots and stems similar to deciduous trees gaining colour before leaf drop. Some method of protecting the foliage from freezing conditions?
Moving sugars into the roots as antifreeze? Anyone know what's really going on?
Last year my trees were moved into winter storage (mulched on the ground) earlier than this year and stayed greener than this year. Here's 3 trees showing some dormancy colour change. The photos didn't pick up the colour well, it's actually quite purple foliage.
Mp

 

[fourteener]

My cedars and a variety of juni's, all turn a shade of purple/green. I'm guessing the short days and lack of light shut down photo synthesis is part of it. I am also sure there is much more to it that I don't know. Your first tree in your first winter certainly makes you fear the worst.

 

[Cadillactaste]

My cedars and a variety of juni's, all turn a shade of purple/green. I'm guessing the short days and lack of light shut down photo synthesis is part of it. I am also sure there is much more to it that I don't know. Your first tree in your first winter certainly makes you fear the worst.

This will be my first year with wintering a juniper...glad to read this post so I know when I see it...not to wig out.

 

[Eric Group]

This will be my first year with wintering a juniper...glad to read this post so I know when I see it...not to wig out.

Some don't change color... What type do you have?

 

[Cadillactaste]

[BOOKS][/BOOKS]

Some don't change color... What type do you have?

I believe it was ID'd as a procumben here. So...what can I expect this winter?

 

[ChrisV]

I know some shinpaku's change there color. Never seen a needle Juniper do it by the way.
It should be ok, but when it turns brown there is a problem.