Difference Between Deciduous and Coniferous Trees

The key difference between deciduous and coniferous trees is that deciduous trees shed off their leaves seasonally while coniferous trees keep their leaves year-round.

All trees that belong to the kingdom Plantae can be classified into several categories based on different criteria. One major criterion in the categorization of trees is the physiology. Deciduous, coniferous and evergreen trees are three types of trees that are very much important in the field of forestry studies. Therefore, it is important to have an idea about them separately and distinguish the features in order to identify the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees clearly.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Deciduous Trees
3. What are Coniferous Trees
4. Similarities Between Deciduous and Coniferous Trees
5. Side by Side Comparison – Deciduous vs Coniferous Trees in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What are Deciduous Trees?

Deciduous trees are the trees which seasonally shed off their unnecessary parts, especially leaves, from their structure. Most deciduous trees posses broad leaves. Because of the structure of leaves and the pattern of leaf arrangement, the effectiveness of photosynthesis is very much high in deciduous trees. However, it has both positive and negative effects compared to other types of trees. Due to the broad leaf structure, deciduous trees are very much susceptible to tolerate windy and winter weather conditions. Therefore, the falling of unnecessary leaves is necessary at the period of bad weather conditions. It ensures not only a better survival in winter weather conditions but also high water conservation and protection against the predatory actions.

Deciduous characteristics can be frequently observed in most woody plants (oak, maple), shrubs (honeysuckle) and in temperate woody vines (grapes). There are two characteristic deciduous forest types where the majority of the trees shed their foliage at the end of their typical growing season. They are temperate deciduous forests and Tropical and subtropical deciduous forests. Trees in temperate deciduous forests are sensitive to seasonal temperature variations, whereas the other types respond to seasonal rainfall patterns. Therefore, the growth, leaf shedding and dormancy occurring periods vary with the type.

What are Coniferous Trees?

Coniferous trees belong to plant division Phynophyta. These plants bear a cone and it is their flower. Most conifers are evergreen woody plants. Although the leaf shedding is not seasonal as deciduous, they only shed their oldest leaves which have remained on the tree for a long time. Pines, firs, and hemlocks can be named as some well-known conifers. The leaf structure and patterns of arrangement may vary in different conifers. Most of them consist of needle-like leaves whereas some have diverse shapes such as flat, triangular, scale-like, broad, flat strap-shaped and awl-shaped leaves.

In addition, the arrangement of leaves in a majority of conifers is spiral. Leaf shape, arrangement, and many other adaptations can be seen in these trees. They can survive in vast environmental conditions by having adaptations. The general dark green color of leaves may help to absorb the sunlight in shade conditions, whereas the yellowish color of leaves and wax coating collectively promote the growth under high intensity of sunlight. Conifers are largely used in timber and paper production.

What are the Similarities Between Deciduous and Coniferous Trees?

• Deciduous and coniferous trees are both woody plants.
• Also, both trees are used for timber and furniture production.

What is the Difference Between Deciduous and Coniferous Trees?

Deciduous and coniferous trees are two distinct groups of plants. As the name suggests, deciduous trees shed their leaves seasonally. Whereas, coniferous trees are the trees that produce cones and that have leaves throughout the year. So, this is the key difference between deciduous and coniferous trees. Furthermore, a significant difference between deciduous and coniferous trees is that the deciduous trees show re-growth while re-growth is not seen in coniferous trees.

Moreover, an easily identifiable difference between deciduous and coniferous trees is the shape of their leaves. The deciduous trees have broad and flat leaves while coniferous trees have small needle-like leaves. Besides, most deciduous trees are flowering plants. Hence, they do not produce cones. But, coniferous trees produce cones in order to reproduce. Therefore, this is also a significant difference between deciduous and coniferous trees.

Below inforgraphic shows more details on the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees.

Summary – Deciduous vs Coniferous Trees

Deciduous trees are the trees that shed off their leaves seasonally. Whereas, coniferous trees are the trees that reproduce via cones and they are evergreen plants. Hence, they keep their leaves throughout the year. Furthermore, deciduous plants show a re-growth since they lose their leaves completely while coniferous plants do not show a re-growth. In addition, deciduous plants have broad and flat leaves while coniferous trees have small needle-like leaves. Thus, this summarizes the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees.

Reference:

1. “Deciduous.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Feb. 2019, Available here.
2. “Coniferous Trees.” Coniferous Trees | The Canadian Encyclopedia, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Autumnal deciduous forest – Laubwand im Herbst” By Norbert Nagel, Mörfelden-Walldorf, Germany – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “1452213” (CC0) via Pxhere