Maple trees don't drop leaves in the fall - Ask Extension
Hello,
We have 2 maple trees that were installed by the township along with many trees in the neighborhood. We noticed that our trees don't change ...
Knowledgebase
Maple trees don't drop leaves in the fall #854281
Asked October 29, 2023, 9:56 AM EDT
Hello,
We have 2 maple trees that were installed by the township along with many trees in the neighborhood. We noticed that our trees don't change color or drop leaves like the rest of the street. The leaves stay on through the winter, though they eventually turn brown. The trees are late to bloom in the spring as well. It's like the timer is off by a couple of months.
The pictures attached were taken on 10/28/23 and show one of our trees as well as the trees down our street.
Washtenaw County Michigan
Expert Response
Good Evening,
Complete leaf drop (abscission) may not occur on some trees
until spring, or they may drop from all but lower limbs on other tree species. This is foliar marcescence, which comes from the Latin, marcescere, and means “to fade”. The persistent
leaf does not readily form an abscission layer at the
base of the leaf petiole (leaf stalk), where it attaches
to the twig. This allows these brown leaves to remain
attached on trees much longer.
Typically, leaf marcescence is seen on oaks
(Quercus species), American beech (Fagus
grandifolia), hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana),
Eastern hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), and
witchhazels (Hamamelis species). However,
depending upon the weather, it is infrequently seen
on other species.
The marcescent characteristic is more pronounced
on younger trees, but may be seen only on the
lower, more juvenile limbs of larger, more mature
trees, especially oaks. However, a long warm
autumn that is quickly followed by the onset of cold
weather will prevent the formation of this abscission
layer on other tree species, as is frequently observed
on maples.
A question that
arises, though, does
this marcescence
benefit the trees or is
it a detriment?
Indeed, strong winter
winds and snow may
have a more harmful
effect on a tree
possessing foliage by
causing more branch
breakage. However,
several theories
proposed by plant ecologists suggest that leaves
that drop later in the spring will provide a fresh layer
of leaf mulch around the tree that helps conserve soil
moisture, and these leaves decompose later during
springtime to recycle and provide additional nutrients
for growth. Another theory that seems to make
sense is that lower limbs holding onto these dry
unpalatable leaves may deter browsing by deer, who
prefer to feed on the more tender and nutritious buds
and twigs, not on the bitter, fibrous old foliage.
Whatever the reason for the marcescence, it is an
interesting characteristic to see, and if you listen
closely, you can hear these noisy, rattling leaves
during the winter breezes
3-2020-newletter.pdf (wsu.edu)
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
Complete leaf drop (abscission) may not occur on some trees
until spring, or they may drop from all but lower limbs on other tree species. This is foliar marcescence, which comes from the Latin, marcescere, and means “to fade”. The persistent
leaf does not readily form an abscission layer at the
base of the leaf petiole (leaf stalk), where it attaches
to the twig. This allows these brown leaves to remain
attached on trees much longer.
Typically, leaf marcescence is seen on oaks
(Quercus species), American beech (Fagus
grandifolia), hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana),
Eastern hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), and
witchhazels (Hamamelis species). However,
depending upon the weather, it is infrequently seen
on other species.
The marcescent characteristic is more pronounced
on younger trees, but may be seen only on the
lower, more juvenile limbs of larger, more mature
trees, especially oaks. However, a long warm
autumn that is quickly followed by the onset of cold
weather will prevent the formation of this abscission
layer on other tree species, as is frequently observed
on maples.
A question that
arises, though, does
this marcescence
benefit the trees or is
it a detriment?
Indeed, strong winter
winds and snow may
have a more harmful
effect on a tree
possessing foliage by
causing more branch
breakage. However,
several theories
proposed by plant ecologists suggest that leaves
that drop later in the spring will provide a fresh layer
of leaf mulch around the tree that helps conserve soil
moisture, and these leaves decompose later during
springtime to recycle and provide additional nutrients
for growth. Another theory that seems to make
sense is that lower limbs holding onto these dry
unpalatable leaves may deter browsing by deer, who
prefer to feed on the more tender and nutritious buds
and twigs, not on the bitter, fibrous old foliage.
Whatever the reason for the marcescence, it is an
interesting characteristic to see, and if you listen
closely, you can hear these noisy, rattling leaves
during the winter breezes
3-2020-newletter.pdf (wsu.edu)
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
