Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1

What is the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees?

The difference between deciduous and evergreen trees is how they handle their leaves – deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn, while evergreen trees keep theirs all year round.

Facts about deciduous trees

• Autumn Colours: Before shedding their leaves in autumn, deciduous trees often change color to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, which happens due to chemical changes in the leaves.

• Leaf Shedding: Deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn to help them conserve water and energy during the cold winter months.

• Seasonal Changes: In spring, deciduous trees grow new leaves, and these leaves are usually broad and flat, which helps them capture sunlight for photosynthesis.

• Growth Cycle: These trees have a clear growth cycle tied to the seasons, with new leaves in the spring, full growth in summer, leaf change in autumn, and leafless branches in winter

Examples of deciduous trees:

Facts about evergreen trees

• Needle-like Leaves: The leaves of evergreen trees are typically narrow, long, and needle-like, which helps reduce water loss and survive in cold or dry conditions.

• Slow Growth: Evergreen trees often grow more slowly than deciduous trees, but they can live for many years—some even for hundreds or thousands of years!

• Cones for Reproduction: Most evergreen trees reproduce by producing cones, which contain seeds, rather than flowers like many other types of trees.

• Photosynthesis in Winter: Evergreen trees can continue photosynthesis throughout the winter months, even when the ground is frozen and other trees have stopped growing.

Examples of evergreen trees:

When should children learn about deciduous and evergreen trees?

The National Curriculum states that children in KS1 should learn about deciduous and evergreen trees in Year 1 as part of the 'Plants' strand. Children should:

• identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees.