Category: Abscission layer

  • American Beech In Winter

    Holding their tan leaves through the winter until spring, American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), is one of a few trees around here that are marcescent. Others include Oak, American Beech, Hornbeam, Eastern Hophornbeam, and Witchhazel. Marcescence is a name that scientists have given to the process which they have described in detail, explaining what happens. But…

  • Marcescence

    Marcescence

    It doesn’t happen often. Deciduous trees that hang onto their leaves through the winter, marcescence. These trees fail to create the abscission layer at the base of the leaf stem, that is, the layer that helps the plant release those leaves (also the layer that will initiate the release of flowers or fruits). It will…