Why do trees lose their leaves in temperate climates?
Kat – The only trees that lose their leaves are deciduous trees. Theyre different from coniferous trees. The reason they do this mainly is because leaves fulfil an interesting function for trees. Not only do they help them produce energy from photosynthesis, thats where the pigments live that help trees to make energy from sunlight from carbon dioxide and water but also they act as the trees disposal system. Throughout the year the tree will grow, produce energy, sugars and all sorts of things in its leaves and its waste products get put back into the leaves. Now very Autumn, basically because trees do need a lot of water, they start to have a less reliable supply of water, less light so the trees decide ok, now is the time to get rid of our leaves. They lose them and its basically tress are getting rid of their waste products. Its also why theyre changing in colour as well because these waste products are different colours to the green chlorophyll pigment that helps them to make energ
