Most decidius trees drop their leaves (and fruit) by abscission before winter. That is the separation of two daughter cells at the time of cytolinesis.
An abscission zone is formed at the base of the petiole, or the leaf stem. When the abscission layer forms between the leaf petiole and the branch, the leaf simply separates and falls away.
An abscission zone is formed at the base of the petiole, or the leaf stem. When the abscission layer forms between the leaf petiole and the branch, the leaf simply separates and falls away.