Marcescence

A surprisingly fine day after a wet start, with evening sunlight illuminating the ash trees on our southern boundary. 

About 90% of the trees around the property are ash which means that in a few years they will probably succumb to ash die-back as it creeps west. I'm so glad that about 20 years ago I germinated two acorns in pots and subsequently planted the oak saplings  where they may eventually replace the view of the ash trees in this direction.

I like the way the lowering sun has set aglow the withered leaves of the young oak in the foreground. I also like knowing that the phenomenon of certain juvenile trees, notably oak and beech, retaining their dead foliage like this until the spring is called marcescence. It's not known for certain why this is but several theories have been put forward: the withered leaves may deter browsing animals, they may trap moisture or the delayed leaf drop may provide nutrients when most needed. It may also mean that oak and  beech, which are closely related, represent an intermediate evolutionary stage between evergreen and deciduous species whose leaves drop off in autumn.

Winter trees
Aren’t you cold and won’t you freeze,
With branches bare, you winter trees?
You’ve thrown away your summer shift,
Your autumn gold has come adrift.

Dearie me, you winter trees,
What strange behaviour, if you please!
In summer you could wear much less,
But come the winter – you undress!

George Szirtes