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[T1419]Types Of Deciduous Trees

by Patrick Desnoyers, Pat

The term deciduous means ?tending to fall off? or ?temporary.? The word deciduous is used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves during the winter season. There are several types of trees that belong to the deciduous family. Deciduous trees include the species of oak, maple, aspen, birch and elm.

The deciduous family also contains a number of coniferous genera. In this category the larch and metasquoia are the most common. It is important to note that all of the oak species are not part of the deciduous family. A deciduous tree is known for periods of beautiful color and then periods of barrenness. The period in which a deciduous tree sheds its leaves coincides with winter months or a dry season.

In the field of botany the term deciduous refers to trees, shrubs and plants. The types of trees, shrubs and plants that fall under the term deciduous are those that shed their leaves for part of the year. The process of shedding leaves is known as abscission.

If the deciduous tree is located in a colder climate then the tree will typically lose its leaves during the colder months of the year. While deciduous trees that are located ion warmer climates tend to lose their leaves during the dry season. There are several plants and trees, such as the evergreen, that are considered to be semi-deciduous.

Most of the deciduous plants will flower during the time when they are leafless. When the deciduous plant flowers this increases the effectiveness of reproduction and pollination. The absence of the leaves on the deciduous tree is perfect for the improved wind transmission of the pollen . This is most effective with the transmission of pollen from wind-pollinated plants.

The absence of the leaves also increases the visibility of the flowers to different types of insects that are required for insect pollination in several types of deciduous plants. The flowers of the deciduous plant can become damaged by frost during the cold winter months or in dryer areas the flowers become damaged from water stress.

By losing the leaves during the winter months a deciduous plant can reduce waster loss since most of the water that the plant or tree will come into contact with is ice. There is less trunk and branch damage from ice storms when the deciduous trees are leafless. The loss of leaves to a deciduous tree is not only a necessity in terms of reproduction but also in terms of protection.

A deciduous tree is usually located in a forest with other plant species. The deciduous tree provides shade to plants that require full or partial shade. When a deciduous tree re-grows its leaves the leaves actually form a canopy surrounding the tree and the forest area. Many people become breathless at the sight of a deciduous forest in full bloom or when the deciduous tree is changing color in preparation for winter. A deciduous tree is beautiful to look at during the spring, summer and fall months.

A deciduous tree is beautiful most of the year. People fall in love with several types of deciduous trees because of the way that the trees seem to come alive during the months of spring. A deciduous tree, which has been bare all winter long, will blossom into a beautiful dark green color. The color can be referred to as a hunter green or a little lighter. As the deciduous tree blossoms so does the surrounding environment. Flowers blossom as the environment seems to be renewed from a winter's long rest.

After the spring and summer months, as the seasons change to fall, the deciduous tree's leaves will turn from a red, to a yellow, to a orange to a shade of brown before the leaves are shed. This is an amazing sight to witness as the deciduous tree seems to be painting a glorious picture across the countryside. Many people will take tours of a deciduous forest during the fall season. After the deciduous tree changes colors the tree sheds its leaves in preparation for the winter months.

There are several; insects that can prove to be lethal to a deciduous tree. The gypsy moth is a type of insect that can is a lethal killer. The gypsy moth has been known to kill as many as a million acres of forests per year. This is a notorious insect whose damage is seen for years and years. The gypsy moth will lay invisible buff-colored eggs in huge masses as the leaves emerge during the months of spring. The hungry larvae will quickly kill the deciduous tree. There are preventive measures that can be taken that ensure this will not happen.

The emerald ash borer is a type of insect that can be described as an exotic, wood-boring beetle. This insect has been known to kill millions of ash trees. The emerald ash borer lay larvae on the ash tree. The hungry larvae will feed on the bark of the tree. If the feedings are big enough then the larva will kill the limbs of the tree. This leads to the eventual girdle of the tree.

The longhorn beetle borer is a type of insect that was first found in Brooklyn, New York. The adult insects lay eggs in the open bark of the deciduous tree. The larvae then bore large galleries deep into the wood of the tree. The feeding galleries are what disrupt the vascular functioning of the deciduous trees. This disruptions causes the deciduous tree to eventually become so weak that the tree will fall apart and die.

One last insect that should be mentioned is the elm bark beetle. The elm bark beetle is known to spread Dutch elm disease. This insect is on the “worst” list of insect species. The Dutch elm disease fungus is spread to healthy trees by the beetling transmitting spores from the diseased tree to the healthy tree. Another way in which the disease can be spread is through tightly spaced root grafting. The bark beetle has been known to kill thousands of elm trees which are part of the deciduous tree family.

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Patrick Desnoyers has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gardening, Arts and Gardening. Avid full time hobby bonsai grower. Owner of , a website with ressource for Bonsai seed. Patrick Desnoyers's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.