Woody plants, trees and shrubs are either deciduous or evergreen.
Deciduous
Deciduous - i lose all my foliage, then i enter a dormant state. All the foliage will grow back when the dormancy is over.
Broadleaf is the default for most. Deciduous trees have thinner but broader leaves compared to evergreen trees. Large surface area that allows for maximum absorption of sunlight.
The primary function of the leaves is to carry out photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is the pigment responsible for capturing sunlight and converting it into energy. During the autumn, the chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down, revealing other pigments such as carotenoids and anthocyanins. This is why deciduous trees display a range of colors during the fall season.
The fallen leaves from deciduous trees introduce detritus to the forest floor, increasing levels of nutrients and organic matter in the soil.
Deciduous with needle-like leaves:
Evergreen
Evergreen - i replace my foliage continuously throughout the year.
Evergreen plants never lose their color. They remain a rich green all year long and should neve lose their foliage.
In temperate climates, evergreens can reinforce their own survival; evergreen leaf and needle litter has a higher carbon-nitrogen ratio than deciduous leaf litter, contributing to a higher soil acidity and lower soil nitrogen content, favoring evergreens.
Evergreen with needle-like leaves: default for most evergreens
Evergreen, scale-like leaves:
Evergreen, broadleaf: rhododendrons are another beautiful examples
References: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-differences-between-evergreen-and-deciduous-trees.html