When do evergreens photosynthesize

Login or Join to answer. We had trouble talking to the server. Please try again. Your answer will be saved while you login or join. Live Preview. Older ». Have a question? Ask Fluther! What do you know more about? You've got knowledge matches! Already a member? Join for Free! Username Password Forgot info? Not a member? Join for FREE! Related Browse. Deciduous trees produce new leaves each spring that are dropped each fall. They generally have a shorter growing season for photosynthesis than evergreen trees that retain their leaves year round.

Evergreen trees can photosynthesize through the winter as long as they are not frozen and have access to water. However, given the cold climate in Canada for example, it is unlikely that evergreen trees here produce much oxygen during the winter.

Deciduous and evergreen trees vary in their speeds of photosynthesis. Deciduous trees photosynthesize much faster. There is a trade-off then between speed of photosynthesis and length of growing season.

But data suggests that deciduous and evergreen trees produce similar amounts of oxygen over the course of a whole year, provided they also have a similar total leaf area.

What kinds of evergreen tree species are growing in your state or neighborhood? Can you find some of their needles or pinecones Or do you have other kinds of trees in your part of the world? Tell us about what you see and send a message to Dr. Universe wsu. Search for:. Videos Activities Podcasts. Plants photosynthesize to get sugar and oxygen from sunlight, then animals eat and get energy from plants, and animals eat other animals.

There are many factors that can influence the rate of photosynthesis in winter evergreens. Less light and colder temperatures in the winter are limiting factors for photosynthesis. The more light and warmer temperatures a plant has, the more effective it will be at creating sugars and other products using the sun's energy. The plants health, age and flowering state can also change the rate of this process.

Carbon dioxide is needed as a carbon source to create sugars and other organic compounds. The more carbon dioxide that is available, the faster the rate of photosynthesis reactions. As the stomata in a pine's needles open to take in carbon dioxide, water is inevitably lost through these pores as vapor.

Minerals can also be a limiting factor of photosynthesis. Nitrogen, phosphate, sulfate, iron, calcium and magnesium are necessary for plants to create proteins, DNA and chlorophyll. Plants also require elements like manganese, copper and chloride to complete photosynthesis successfully.

Because they keep their needles year-round, in the winter pine trees are able to photosynthesize!