Deciduous forests have a long, warm growing season as one of four distinct seasons.There is abundant moisture.The soil typically is rich. The leaves dropped from trees provide a steady source of organic material for the soil. Many species live in the soil and break down the organic matter.Tree leaves are arranged in strata: canopy, understory, shrub, and ground. A great deal of light is therefore filtered out before it reaches the ground.With the dropping of their leaves during one season, trees stop photosynthesis and enter a dormant period.Three main types of trees are characteristic of these forests: northern hardwood, central hardwood, and southeast pine and oak.
