How do trees breath in the winter, when they have no leaves?

Answer 1

They don't. They go into a dormant state and don't really do anything at all until seasonal cues tell them to start making leaves again.

Answer 2

It is a common misconception that deciduous trees dont grow when they are dormant, when in fact they are preparing for the spring growth. They have energy reserves stored in the cells of the plant and when the climate becomes ideal the dormant buds shoot away, Deciduous trees have an amazing abilty to cork over. The corking process is what causes trees to shed their leaves by corking over where the leaves ataches to the stem of the tree hence the leaves falling in autum. The reason some trees are deciduous is because they grow in climates where it freezes. When the ground freezes so does the water in the ground. Once the water in ground freezes the tree cannot (TRANSPIRE) Transpiration is the process that makes a tree breath. By stoping this prosess the tree can survive the winter and start growing in the spring. Conifer trees are one of the few trees that can survive the winter with out sheding there leaves (needles) because thay have specialised cells that produce a type of terpentine that acts as an anti freeze to stop the sap freezeing i think this is a outstanding example of natures abilty to adapt to the environment. The best time to maintain deciduous trees is after their leaves have fallen, they are less prone to pests and diseases, as well it is easier to see the structure of the tree when it is bare, making it easier to prune. Removal of deadwood and excessive branching wil allow maximum growth in the spring. Allowing you to enjoy the beauty of you trees trhoughout the summer/autumn months-especially good for a spectacular autumn display of colour.

Answer 3

Basic life support or basal respiration continues year round in trees that under go ectodormancy in regions of zone 3 or higher. Without chloroplasts they may not photosynthesize but respiration continues in mitochondria throughout the sapwood volume of the plant. The maintenance respiration rate continues depending on the temperature in the woody tissue. Stem respiration increases with spring bud break over several weeks but bole respiration is only slightly increased. There is no above ground growth during dormancy but the plant continues basic metabolic functions and minimal below ground growth/repair.

Trees enter dormancy when the whole tree carbon balance shifts. For growth to continue there must be more photosynthate (carbohydrate) present than is required to support growth below ground and in the trees woody parts plus reserves for spring bud break. With less light and a decrease in temperature to between 5 & 10 C the tree struggles to support foliage. So there is a break-even point between available light energy and temperature that predicts actual canopy loss but the plant continues to live and respiration continues to support this minimal function.
Plant respiration:
C6H12O6 + 6 O2 => 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + Energy

To continue these metabolic functions and prevent possible damage from periodic freezing the plants super-cool. Water in the cells is chemically maintained in a liquid state below 0° C (32F) but above the homogeneous nucleation point at -38.1° C. (-37F) So these plants avoid cold damage by not freezing. If the temperature goes below -38.1° C they will freeze. When a plant cell freezes, it does what a frozen water pipe does: it bursts.
Trees in a dormant condition even without leaves also lose water. They lose water through lenticels on twigs, branches, roots, and stems so those retaining leaves when dormant suffer greater water loss. Loss is dependant on both temperature and relative humidity but even frozen the water sublimes and is lost to the tree.

Answer 4

If by "breath" you mean photosynthesis, the process of making food by use of sunlight, taking in CO2 and giving off O2, they don't. They go dormant. Kind of like hibernation. The sap retreats from the surface the tree doesn't need as much food and water to survive.

Answer 5

They do not produce many gaseous by products in dormancy but I imagine any they did need could be obtained through pores in the trunk. (lenticels)

Answer 6

because it goes into the dormant state .don't think I copied the answer

Answer 7

Awww man, I used to know this... UGH, I can't remember!!

I'll be watching this question because I want to know again.

Great question.

Here's a star!

Answer 8

Wow what an awsome question- I have no idea but nonetheless what an awsome question