What is an evergreen tree?

An evergreen tree is a type of tree that retains its leaves throughout the year, maintaining a green appearance regardless of the season. This characteristic allows evergreens to photosynthesize and thrive even in winter months when deciduous trees have shed their leaves. The adaptation to retain leaves year-round is beneficial for the tree's survival, enabling it to utilize sunlight whenever available and avoid the energy costs associated with leaf regrowth each year.

In contrast, trees that shed their leaves annually are classified as deciduous trees; these species go through a cycle where they lose leaves in the fall and regrow them in the spring. While some trees, like conifers, produce cones as part of their reproduction, the defining feature of an evergreen is its foliage retention. Hence, the response that describes an evergreen tree as one that keeps its leaves green year-round accurately captures its essential nature and distinguishes it from other tree types.