The Mighty Oak V's The Beautiful beech

[Lee Winger]

This nation was built on the back of our dear old oak tree, oaks every time for this kiddie

[Samuel]

That oak tree looks amazing for its age in that picture. But great pictures of both of the trees

[chris cnc]

beech for me!

 

while im here can anyone explain to me why a beech hedge retains its dead leaves over winter while a tree does not? several times i have seen both on one tree (low branches retaining leaves, upper branches without leaves). i am wondering what is the height cut off point and why?

i was thinking it might be something to do with protection from grazers etc, similar to holly foliage having spines lower down on the tree, but not higher up.

 

been puzzling me that one

[David Humphries]

beech for me!

 

while im here can anyone explain to me why a beech hedge retains its dead leaves over winter while a tree does not? several times i have seen both on one tree (low branches retaining leaves, upper branches without leaves). i am wondering what is the height cut off point and why?

i was thinking it might be something to do with protection from grazers etc, similar to holly foliage having spines lower down on the tree, but not higher up.

 

been puzzling me that one

 

It's Marcescence chris.

 

Usually on either young trees or young lower parts of older trees.

 

I'm not a 100% sure, but I think you're right in terms of browsing.

It probably puts off deer etc, who maybe prefer more palatable bare twigs.

 

 

Generaly I've seen on Beech, Oak & Hornbeam, but I would of thought quite a few species are associated with it.

 

 

 

.

[sean]

beech for me!

 

while im here can anyone explain to me why a beech hedge retains its dead leaves over winter while a tree does not? several times i have seen both on one tree (low branches retaining leaves, upper branches without leaves). i am wondering what is the height cut off point and why?

i was thinking it might be something to do with protection from grazers etc, similar to holly foliage having spines lower down on the tree, but not higher up.

 

been puzzling me that one

 

 

spring shed leaves of beech and oak were richer in soluble minerals than autumn shed leaves that had been lying around over winter......when these leaves fall in spring the roots are active and able to take in these nutrients as they leach from the leaves. Keeping the leaves only on the lower branches improves the chances that they will fall within reach of the trees own roots!........a theory.......

[chris cnc]

cheers Monkey D, thats what i thought. its good to put a name to it. maybe the brown leaves would give the impression of the tree being dead, further deterring the browsers?

 

sean, thats an interesting idea too, that the tree retains its leaves until it can make most use of them. it makes sense that it would be the lower branches too, as they would fall closer to the tree.

 

clever beeches!

[sean]

spring shed leaves of beech and oak were richer in soluble minerals than autumn shed leaves that had been lying around over winter......when these leaves fall in spring the roots are active and able to take in these nutrients as they leach from the leaves. Keeping the leaves only on the lower branches improves the chances that they will fall within reach of the trees own roots!........a theory.......

 

not my theory i should add.....but seems like a good one to me.....and makes good sense

[Albedo]

I vaguely remember from some ancient reading years ago that its to do with, young beech trees not having the ability to heal the little wound left by the fallen leaf. This would be the lack of maturity to be able to have a wee chemical reaction to do this.

 

Always wondered about hedges as they can be old, and assumed they were tricked into thinking they were young by heavy pruning to hedge form.

[Albedo]

Courtesy of wicki / monkeyd

 

Marcescence is the retention of dead plant organs that normally are shed. It is most obvious in deciduous trees that retain leaves through the winter. Several trees normally have marcescent leaves such as oak (Quercus)[1], beech (Fagus) and hornbeam (Carpinus). Marcescent leaves of pin oak (Quercus palustris) complete development of their abscission layer in the spring.[2] 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. Diseases or pests can also kill leaves before they can develop an abscission layer.

 

Its ability to form abscission layer, that my vague memory is about:thumbup1:

[theclaw]

I love me oak trees and generally they do command your respect,but beech for me. I'v always said if i win lottery, house I buy'll have a mature beech tree in lawn, and if poss, running water and electric. If oaks king, then the beech is definitely queen.