Why do some trees lose their leaves in winter but other trees stay green and keep their leaves?
Why do some trees lose their leaves in winter but other trees stay green and keep their leaves?
user
That’s a good question. In general, it’s because different trees have different leaves and the weather has different effects on different leaves.  For example, if there are no leaves on the trees, the sunlight hits the ground, making it warm.  Some leaves absorb the sun, and it makes the leaf cells swell, increasing the size of the leaf and giving it a big surface area.
assistant
Part of your answer makes sense, but what does a leaf having a big surface area have to do with whether it will fall off a tree in winter or not?
user
The big surface area of the leaf is important because a leaf can be really cold, but if its cells are swelling, it will be warmer.  So when it’s cold, leaves tend to die from cold and get brittle, and they can fall off of the trees.  In the winter it’s also important that there’s no food for the trees, so they use up less energy to keep warm.
assistant
Don't trees get their food from sunlight?
user