The beech tree in our area hangs on to its leathery golden leaves most of the winter. Our tree is so tall that a deer would need to be an acrobat to reach the lowest branch.
The trumpet vine above is hanging on to its leaves for now.
And our many tulip trees have hung on to their seed pods which cluster like brown daisies against the blue sky. I have seen cardinals in the later part of winter eating the seeds when the more tasty food is unavailable.
The bald cypress that was planted a decade ago waits until it is colder before shedding all of its green foliage which has now turned rusty brown.
I guess the message is to just hang on through the winter!
ReplyDeleteInteresting and thoughtful post. Leaves hanging on to protect the spring buds is a beautiful image.
The many crabapple trees along the sidewalks here, in winter you can see cedar waxwing flocks grabbing the crabapples. The starlings will clean off the wild grapes.
Beech and some oak trees hang on to brown leaves over the winter here. Great photos, Tabor.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for a lovely post. I'm just hanging on, without leaves.
ReplyDeleteThis idea that leaves protect the buds makes good sense.
ReplyDeleteOak trees tend to hang on here in a very dull. brown state. I saw a maple doing something similar, which was very strange and unusual.
ReplyDeleteIt's all any of us can hope to do, I think.
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense to believe that leaves shield buds.
ReplyDeleteI think plants all have different strategies for surviving and protecting themselves - so do animals - any tiny evolutionary advantage might help!
ReplyDeleteI wish more of my trees that surround my home would hold onto their leaves.
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