evergreen forest A forest in which there is no complete, seasonal loss of leaves (i.e. trees shed old leaves and produce new ones partially, and sometimes throughout the year, rather than during particular periods). The trees may be softwood conifers or broad-leaved hardwoods. The distribution of these forests ranges through boreal, middle, and tropical latitudes. The northern coniferous forests and the equatorial rain forests (see tropical rain forests) are the most extensive evergreen forests. Evergreen coniferous forests predominate where the growing season is less than half the year; broad-leaved evergreen forest is found in regions that lack a prolonged dry season.

evergreen forest A forest in which there is no complete, seasonal loss of leaves (i.e., trees shed old leaves and produce new ones throughout the year, rather than during particular periods). The trees may be conifers or hardwoods. The distribution of these forests ranges through boreal, middle, and tropical latitudes. The northern coniferous forests and the equatorial rain forests (see TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS) are the most extensive evergreen forests. Evergreen coniferous forests predominate where the growing season is less than half the year; broad-leaved evergreen forest is found in regions that lack a prolonged dry season.