This afternoon’s sun, lighting up the marcescent leaves of an American Beech (Fagus grandifolia).

Trees that have marcescent leaves are trees that keep their leaves until spring when new leaves begin to grow and push the old leaves off and to the ground. It is still uncertain why this happens. There are thoughts though, including that the falling leaves create a new layer of mulch with nutrients for growth just in time for a new season. Or that those falling leaves help keep moisture in the soil, again for the new growing season.

Other thoughts concern animals that are around the marcescent leaves. Birds benefit from protection that the leaves provide from cold winter winds. Or could it be that marcescent leaves are protecting the tempting, tender, and nutritious buds and twigs that could be consumed by deer.

Whatever the reason that this occurs, I certainly enjoy finding these leaves still on trees here in the woods on my mountain.

_______________________________________________________________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!