Pages

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Oak Leaf

Photobucket

I showed the tree canopy yesterday and it was mentioned the pictures were from earlier in the year... it did look like that but I think the trees were Oak... this woodland as many.

Photobucket

Some Oaks will keep their leaves all winter.... the leaves are dead but stay attached until the following spring... this is called ' Marcescence '... which is the retention of dead plant organs that are normally shed. It is seen in deciduous trees that retain leaves through the winter. Several trees normally have this kind of leaf such as Oak, Beech, and Hornbeam.

Photobucket

Marcescent leaves of Oak, complete development of their abscission layer in the spring. The base of the petiole remains alive over the winter. Many other trees may have marcescent leaves in seasons where an early freeze kills the leaves before the abscission layer develops or completes development...... ha! the joys of google and having such information at out beck and call.
Photobucket
Enjoy their beauty

7 comments:

imac said...

Colours and clarity here Tom Are just Brill.

FO - 2 said...

Wonderful colors. :)
Autum is a beautiful season!

James said...

I sure do enjoy their beauty and I thank you for sharing it.

Patty said...

Nice photos, good to see you've been able to get out and about.

Arija said...

Lovely little sapling and great leaf shots.
We have planted a great variety of Oaks, actually a whole little oakwood that should be really nice in a hundred years or so.

Kerri Farley said...

Love the leaves Tom!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Tom: Neat colors as the tree turns, Oak seem to go brown really quickly.