Temperate deciduous forests or
temperate broad-leaf forests are dominated by trees that lose their leaves each year. They are found in areas with warm, moist summers and mild winters. The three major areas of this
forest type occur in the
Northern Hemisphere: eastern
North America,
East Asia, and
Europe. Smaller areas occur in
Australasia and southern
South America. Examples of typical trees in the Northern Hemisphere's deciduous forests include
oak,
maple,
beech, and
elm. The diversity of tree species is higher in regions where the winter is milder, and also in mountainous regions that provide an array of soil types and microclimates. One of the world's great protected examples of this forest type is found in
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.