Some trees retain their leaves all winter

Question: I have noticed that some trees retain their brown leaves all winter. Why dont they fall off?

Answer: A majority of our deciduous trees shed their leaves in the fall. In late fall, the combination of cell changes and growth regulators form an abscission layer at the base of the leaf stalk or petiole to encourage leaf fall. However, as you have noted, some hardwoods retain their leaves throughout most of the winter season. To some, it is beautiful, while others hate the thought of raking leaves again in the spring. Our native American beech tree is the most common tree in our forest that retains its leaves throughout the winter. A forest full of American beech in winter is a beautiful sight to behold. Many young oak trees retain their leaves too. American beech and oak are related. They are in the Fagaceae family. It is only natural for family members to act the same way. The botanical term for winter leaf retention is called marcescence. The growth of new buds in the spring will push the old leaves off. I have noted that the leaves of American beech begin falling off the last week of February.

Question: All the leaves on my very expensive maple tree are brown and wilted. It has never done this before. Are they dead?

Answer: Japanese maples are slow to shed their leaves in the fall. It is not uncommon for the leaves to be green or red when we have our first hard frost. The damaged leaves will wilt and eventually turn brown. They will slowly fall off with winter rains and wind. I have one Bloodgood Japanese maple that finally shed its leaves during the week of Christmas. My green leaf Waterfall has yet to give up its dried leaves. I would call them tardily deciduous. You can use a leaf blower to hasten their departure.

Question: We planted beets this fall in our new garden. Why did so many of the leaves turn purple?

Answer: Purple leaves on beets and other vegetable plants usually indicate a low phosphorous level in the soil. Phosphorous is a major element in plant nutrition and is very low in our native soils. It plays a significant role in root development. Because phosphorous is very slow to move through the soil, it is important to till your fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. This spring use a fertilizer high in phosphorous such as 10-20-20 or 4-24-24. Apply 1 pound of this fertilizer per 100 square feet of garden and mix it thoroughly into the soil prior to planting. Return to your normal fertilizer schedule during the growing season. The purpling will soon disappear.

Question: I saw a landscape company sowing fescue last week. Isnt this a waste of money?

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Some trees retain their leaves all winter