The landscape in the Eastern Carpathians is mainly greyish-brown in the absence of snow, with rosehips as the only bright spots. The oak seedlings planted in 2021 ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/eniMoiyD2YYa9kEw5 ) are also brownish-yellow, covered by the dry leaves from the previous planting season.
The tendency of pedunculate (Quercus robur) and sessile oaks (Quercus petraea) to retain their leaves through winter is a phenomenon called marcescence.
There are many theories behind this phenomenon:
- Protection for New Buds from harsh winter conditions
- Nutrient Cycling - When the leaves finally fall in spring, their nutrients (e.g., nitrogen) are released into the soil closer to the growing season, when the tree can better utilize them.
- Herbivore Deterrence - Dead leaves can make twigs less palatable and harder to access for browsing herbivores.
- Wind Resistance - minimizing the drying effects of winter winds on delicate branches.
Oaks (genus Quercus) originally evolved in tropical regions millions of years ago and later adapted to a wide range of climates, including temperate zones.
This strategy could simply be part of a still-ongoing genetic adaptation to temperate climates with cold winters!
Commenti (0)
Lascia un commento