Deciduous tree leaves fall in autumn due to a breakdown in cells connecting the leaves to stems. The decreased sunlight in autumn produces a chemical that destroys the connecting cells.
Why Dead Leaves Stay Attached to Stems
When a branch or even a stem is cut from a deciduous tree, why do the leaves stay attached to stems? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abscission Special cells attach deciduous leaves to stems. In autumn, decreased sunlight triggers the production of chemicals that breakdown the walls of the attaching cells. This results in the leaves falling off of the […]