Sun leaves are typically smaller, more elongate, and thicker than shade leaves, with more layers of chlorophyll-containing tissues and more extensive internal vascular systems. It is thought that sun leaves are better adapted to capture and use direct solar radiation (when it isn’t too intense to cause heat and other stress-related damage).

Sun leaves are designed to deal with high levels of light. High levels of light mean high levels of energy. Sun leaves tend to be thicker and densely packed with photosynthetic material. All this photosynthetic material helps the leaf process all the extra energy. You will find sun leaves on the outer canopy of a tree.