This is a high forest type with dominant deciduous species, which are mostly pronounced light demanders reaching up to a height of 30-35 m. The evergreen habitat is mostly met with in this type which confines to the lower storey and given the forest as a whole a more or less evergreen appearance most of the year, but their frequency of distribution is far too less. The chief feature of the moist deciduous forest is a leafless period in the dry season. During this season, the upper canopy is almost entirely leafless though there is often a good sprinkling evergreen in the undergrowth and shrub cover. Buttressed trees are rare and fluting is common. Cauliflory is rare. Evergreen species are mostly confined to the under storey. Trees are mostly with cylindrical bole and the bark peels off in flakes. Bamboos are quite frequent in natural condition. Fire is almost an annual phenomenon thus inhibiting this forest from reaching the climax stage. This type of forests is met with in the lower part of Pannikkotoor forests.

The principal species of this type of forest are: Albizia sp., Bombax ceiba, Dalbergia latifolia, Grewia tiliifolia, Lagerstroemia microcarpa, Schleichera oleosa, Terminalia bellerica, Tetrameles nudiflora, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Pterocarpus marsupium, Dillenia indica, Terminalia paniculata, Bridelia crenulata, Croton malabaricum, Mallutus tetracoccus Margereteria indica, Mallotus phillippense and others. Ecologically, this type thrives well in areas where rainfall is less than 2500 mm with a marked dry season lasting for 4 months.

Undergrowth: The undergrowth consists of Wrightia tinctoria, Helicteres isora, Randia dumeterum, etc. and with Dendrocalamus species. Giant lianas like Spatholobus roxburghii, Entada rheedei etc. are very common in this forest. The commonest climbers of this type are Acacia pinnata, Bauhinia vahili, Calycopteris floribunda etc. Frequent annual fires affect the natural regeneration of these forests leading to retrogression