Student Research - Losing Leaves & Keeping Leaves
Deciduous Plants
Deciduous (dee-SID-you-us) plants such as this pecan tree lose their leaves in the winter because the sun does not shine as much. Plants don’t waste energy taking care of leaves they won’t be using so they shed them. Don’t worry! New leaves sprout in the spring when the sun shines more and plants use them again to do photosynthesis.
FUN FACT: The pecan tree is the official tree of Texas!
Check out this pecan tree!
Evergreen Plants
Evergreens like loblolly pines do not lose their leaves in the winter because a waxy coating protects them. They also have a special liquid inside that helps keep their leaves from freezing.
FUN FACT: Did you know that what we call a “pine needle” is really a leaf? And all those brown pine needles under evergreens didn’t fall off because of winter. They fell off so new, healthier leaves could take their place.
Check out this loblolly tree!