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In the fields of horticulture and botany, the term deciduous (/ d ɪ ˈ s ɪ dʒ u. ə s /) [1] [2] means "falling off at maturity" [3] and "tending to fall off", [4] in reference to trees and shrubs that seasonally shed leaves, usually in the autumn; to the shedding of petals, after flowering; and to the shedding of ripe fruit.
Temperate deciduous forests are characterized by a variety of temperate deciduous tree species that vary based on region. [6] Most tree species present in temperate deciduous forests are broadleaf trees that lose their leaves in the fall, [8] though some coniferous trees such as pines (Pinus) are present in northern temperate deciduous forests. [6]
The phenomenon is commonly called autumn colours [2] or autumn foliage [3] in British English and fall colors, [4] fall foliage, or simply foliage [5] in American English. In some areas of Canada and the United States , " leaf peeping " tourism is a major contribution to economic activity.
Acer rubrum, the red maple, also known as swamp maple, water maple, or soft maple, is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern and central North America. The U.S. Forest Service recognizes it as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. [4]
Autumn, also known as fall, [1] is one of the four temperate seasons on Earth. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, in September (Northern Hemisphere) or March (Southern Hemisphere). Autumn is the season when the duration of daylight becomes noticeably shorter and the temperature cools considerably.
Fall foliage of the Eastern Temperate Forests. The Eastern Temperate Forest Ecoregion has favorable growing conditions for a number of plant species, the dominant being large, broadleaf, deciduous trees. [2] Before the arrival of Europeans, this area was almost completely forested.
Acer saccharum is a deciduous tree normally reaching heights of 25–35 m (80–115 ft), [8] [9] and exceptionally up to 45 m (150 ft). [10] A 10-year-old tree is typically about 5 m (20 ft) tall. As with most trees, forest-grown sugar maples form a much taller trunk and narrower canopy than open-growth ones. [citation needed]
Leaf flushing succeeds leaf fall, and is delayed by winter in the temperate zone or by extreme dryness in the tropics. Leaf fall and leaf flushing in tropical deciduous forests can overlap in some species, called leaf-exchanging species, producing new leaves during the same period when old leaves are shed or almost immediately after.