202 
LIFE STORIES OF PLANTS 
The tree has thus acquired a remarkably good habit in 
laying aside its leaves during the winter, when they 

Fic. 247. ‘‘ Needle’ leaves and stamen 
flowers of pitch pine. 
The 
leaves of the pines, firs, 
and cedars are small and 
needle-like, or awl shaped, 
with a thick, hard covering, 
so that these trees do not 
lose water so rapidly as. the 
broad-leaved trees do. Then, 
too, a change takes place in 
the condition and work of the 
leaves of such evergreens, so 
that they lose less water in 
the winter than during the 
summer. 
ous for them to do so? 

would be of little ser- 
vice, and would even 
endanger its life if they 
were retained. 
Some trees keep their 
green leaves through 
the winter. The pines, 
yews, cedars, and, 
other evergreens do. 
Why is it not danger- 
Fia. 248. Leaves of yew, 
evergreen. 
Some of the broad-leaved trees and shrubs are 
also evergreen and retain their leaves during the winter, 
