🌲 Why are fir trees green all year round?

Fir trees stay green all year because they have special leaves called needles! 🌲 These needles are tough and covered with a waxy coating, which helps them keep water inside even when it's cold or dry.

Unlike other trees that lose their leaves in winter, fir trees keep their needles for many years. That's why they always look green and happy! 🎄

Fir trees are evergreen, meaning they stay green all year! Their leaves are thin, pointy needles with a thick waxy coating. This helps them survive cold winters and dry summers. 🌲

Unlike deciduous trees (like oak or maple), fir trees don't drop all their needles at once. Instead, they lose a few old needles each year and grow new ones, so they always look full and green!

Their needles also have less surface area than flat leaves, which reduces water loss—perfect for snowy or windy places!

Fir trees belong to a group called conifers, which are adapted to keep their needle-like leaves year-round. Here's how they do it:

• Needle structure: Their narrow shape and waxy cuticle reduce water loss (transpiration), crucial in cold or dry climates.
• Slow renewal: They shed older needles gradually (over 2–7 years), not all at once like deciduous trees.
• Chlorophyll retention: Their cells keep producing chlorophyll (the green pigment) even in winter, unlike deciduous trees that break it down.

This adaptation lets them photosynthesize whenever conditions allow, giving them an edge in harsh environments like mountains or boreal forests. 🌲❄️