Which term relates to trees that lose their leaves at the end of the growing season?

The term that relates to trees that lose their leaves at the end of the growing season is "deciduous." Deciduous trees undergo a natural process of shedding their leaves, typically in response to seasonal changes such as falling temperatures and reduced daylight in autumn. This adaptation helps them conserve water and energy during the colder months when the availability of resources is limited.

In contrast, "evergreen" refers to trees that retain their leaves throughout the year, allowing them to continue photosynthesis even in winter. "Coniferous" primarily describes trees that produce cones and usually have needle-like leaves; while many conifers are evergreen, the term itself doesn't specifically imply seasonal leaf loss. "Perennial" refers to plants that live for more than two years, which can include both deciduous and evergreen species, but it does not specifically indicate whether a plant loses its leaves seasonally. Thus, "deciduous" clearly identifies trees that follow this cyclic pattern of leaf loss.