Why Do Trees Lose Their Leaves in Autumn?

Trees lose their leaves in autumn because they start to get ready for winter. When the days get shorter and it gets colder, trees tell their leaves it's time to go. The leaves change color before falling off, like a goodbye party! This helps them save energy during the cold months.

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Examples

A maple tree loses its leaves so it doesn’t have to work as hard in winter.
A child sees a red leaf fall and wonders why trees let go of their leaves.
The oak tree starts letting go of its green leaves before they turn brown.

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Categories: Environment · autumn· trees· seasons· leaf shedding· plant biology