Dufferin Street ~ south of the Glenville Ponds

Photo by Barry Wallace

Leaves to last a winter

Some deciduous trees do not lose their leaves in the winter.  The phenomenon is known as marcesence.   The definition of marcescence is the withering of leaves without falling off the tree. There are a dozen or more tree species in this area that are marcescent, including Aspen and Beech, one of which is likely the tree leaves seen above.   Marcesence is usually observed in young trees, as opposed to mature trees.  My Oxford English Reference Dictionary Second Edition 1996 does not include the word 'marcesence'.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace