Deciduous trees are best described as:

• A. Trees and shrubs that shed their leaves at the end of the growing season
• B. Trees and shrubs that never shed their leaves
• C. Trees that stay green year round
• D. Evergreen trees

Answer: (A)

Seasonal leaf shedding defines deciduous trees. They lose their leaves at the end of the growing season, typically in autumn, as an adaptation to colder or drier winter conditions and reduced daylight. This helps conserve water and energy during dormancy, with new leaves growing again in spring. This stands in contrast to evergreen trees, which keep their leaves year-round. So the description that best fits deciduous trees is that they shed their leaves at the end of the growing season.