Into the Woods with Curio: Marcescence

The Beacon woods look very different in the middle of winter, compared to when most people experience them during the green fullness of summer. The leaves are gone now, as are most of the wildlife, (including some of those pesky insects) and everything is more open and …bare.

With some exceptions. As you look around the camp, you’ll notice some young trees in the woods with most of their leaves, while up on the ridges across the lake there are many mature trees still covered in leaves. The leaves aren’t green anymore, being more of a coppery brown, and withered. So why are the leaves still on these trees?

Leaves that remain on trees into the winter are referred to as marcescent, (pronounced mahr-ses-uhnt) leaves, meaning something like ‘holding on’. Another term used is ‘ever-ciduous’.

The deciduous tree species that hold on to their leaves in Muskoka are the oak trees, (three species -- red, white and bur oak) and the American beech. All of these trees are also seen at Beacon.

These are Carolinian trees, and more at home in the sunny south, such as southern Ontario and down into the US, rather than the Canadian Shield. Here they are at the northern edge of their range, and are not as suited to withstand the longer, harsher winter conditions that are the norm here in Muskoka. This helps explain, in part, why they hold onto their leaves.

According to the book ‘The Hidden Life of Trees’ one reason trees hold onto their leaves into the wintertime is to help the trees stay a little warmer, and not dry out in the harsh winter winds.

Other research suggests that marcescent leaves may be a way of the tree protecting next spring’s buds and their twigs from being eaten by wildlife, such as deer and moose. It is also thought that deer and moose won’t eat dry leaves because it is too noisy and may attract predators!

Still another reason that the trees wait until spring to drop their leaves may be so they can add some nutrients into the soil for themselves at a time when it is most needed.

The trees may also use the dead leaves to catch and keep some snow over the winter. When it melts in the springtime the captured snow may provide more water for the tree.

Interesting possibilities, and amazing examples of how God has equipped these trees to adapt to an unfriendly winter environment in order to survive. He provides shelter, food and even water, and protects them from enemies to get them through a tough season.

God does the same for us. He may not make the tough times go away or disappear, but He provides for us so we can get through them, protecting us and empowering us to overcome, by His grace.

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Oak leaves displaying marcescence