Understanding the Purpose of Jatropha Trees Losing Leaves During the Dry Season: The Secret to Survival!

Illustration of the purpose of teak trees dropping their leaves during the dry season (antaranews)

YOGYAKARTA - Have you ever wondered what the purpose of teak trees dropping their leaves when the dry season arrives? In fact, this natural phenomenon known as shedding is a smart strategy to maintain survival.

Although the tree looks arid and dead, this process is actually a form of high-level adaptation. By discarding the leaves, teak is able to control water evaporation to survive in extreme weather.

Why is the dry season a challenge?

In Indonesia, the dry season is not without cause but is influenced by the East Monsoon Wind blowing from Australia. Because the Australian mainland is dominated by desert sand with little vegetation, the wind that reaches Indonesia is very dry.

In addition, phenomena such as El Nino in the Pacific Ocean often exacerbate this condition, and make the water reserves in the soil increasingly thin.

Meanwhile, for teak trees, dry soil conditions and hot air temperatures are a serious threat. Simply put, if the trees keep all their leaves, they will lose too much fluid.

The Mechanisms of Transpiration and the Strategy of Metamorphosis

Quoted by VOI from the Pras Academy YouTube channel, the main reason why leaves must be dropped lies in a process called transpiration.

Leaves are plant organs that function as a place for water evaporation. Through small holes (stomata), the remnants of water metabolism are thrown into the air.

In the dry season, water supply is very limited. If transpiration continues normally, teak trees are at risk of severe dehydration and death.

Therefore, teak trees choose to drop their leaves (not their stems or branches) because leaves are the main point of water loss.

Well, by becoming bare without leaves, teak trees manage to lock water reserves in the trunk for the most crucial internal needs.

Impact on Stem Growth

This phenomenon of shedding also leaves a trace on the physical tree. During the dry season and when the leaves fall, tree growth tends to slow down or temporarily stop. This creates a year-round phenomenon on the teak trunk.

If you cut a teak trunk, you will see circles with different diameters. Narrow circles indicate periods when the tree is water-saving (dry season or shedding), while wider circles indicate rapid growth during the rainy season when water is abundant.

Read also the article which discusses What Causes Indonesia to Have Two Seasons? Check out the Complete Explanation

The Philosophy of Surviving from Jatimul Trees

Interestingly, this teak tree strategy provides a deep life lesson for humans. As explained in the Pras Academy channel, the phenomenon of shedding is a symbol of savings.

In difficult times, such as the pandemic or economic crisis, humans are invited to imitate teak trees. We must be good at dropping unnecessary expenses and prioritizing basic needs in order to survive.

The teak tree proves that by sacrificing to release something beautiful (i.e. its leaves), it can welcome a greener future when the rain comes down again.

So, the purpose of the teak tree dropping its leaves during the dry season is to minimize evaporation, save fluid reserves, and ensure that it remains alive until the rainy season arrives.

The sight of a teak forest that is rotting is not a sign of death, but a sign of the strength of a living being in the face of natural challenges.