# A Quick Visit to Oak Seedlings Planted in Recent Years
> https://tree-nation.com/projects/climate-smart-forests-transylvania/article/26890-a-quick-visit-to-oak-seedlings-planted-in-recent-years

- **Author**: Transylmagica srl
- **Published**: 2025-01-28T08:59:15.000000Z

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 conditionsNutrient 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!