deciduous forest

Deciduous forests grow in temperate areas. These are areas that have warm or hot summers and cold winters.

The flowers of many deciduous trees are small and insignificant like those of the oak tree. These trees do not need flowers with petals to attract insects as they are pollinated by the wind. Some trees however look quite beautiful when in flower as the small flowers grow in clusters such as those of the horse chestnut tree. Deciduous trees shed their leaves in autumn and are leafless throughout the winter months.

Leaves are shed to avoid winter damage. Large plants also have difficulty absorbing sufficient moisture from the frozen ground. Trees that do keep their leaves throughout winter have leaves that do not lose moisture.

During summer, when the trees are in full leaf, the floor of the deciduous forest is very dark, for this reason most woodland flowers grow in early spring when plenty of light is able to reach the forest floor. In summer soil may also be very dry. When the trees are in leaf they absorb a large amount of moisture. The thick, canopy of leaves also stops much of the rainfall from reaching the ground. Other plants such as clematis and honeysuckle climb up the tree in order to reach the light. Some plants such as ivy and mistletoe attach themselves to the trees. Their roots burrow through the bark and take moisture from the tree.

Also during summer the dark and often damp conditions provide an ideal growing environment for non-flowering plants such as ferns, mosses, lichens, and fungi.

The soil in a deciduous forest is often very rich as much of it is made up of rotted leaves. As the leaves rot they release nutrients into the soil.

Beneath the layer of forest trees grows a layer of shrubs such as brambles, elder and holly. Many produce berries that feed many birds and small animals.