Leaf marcescence and late lammas growth?

[David Humphries]

We all see I'm sure some deciduous trees occasionally retaining their dead leaves through winter before they are blown off before the new leaves unfurl.

 

Often this can be seen on young saplings, as in this turkey oak pictured below.

 

Marcescence occurs due to partially formed abscission layers which stop the leaves from detaching in late autumn/early winter......so I've read.

 

This can be a result of early frost.

 

 

The other more noteworthy thing about this particular sapling is what appears to be very late lammas (renewed) growth which is normally put on in August.

 

The pictures were taken yesterday !

 

Top leaves full of chlorophyl during the shortest and darkest days of the year.

 

.

[sloth]

Lots of trees and plants doing odd things round here this year....

I've got Sambucus nigra in the garden still holding on to a couple of last years leaves, and its just started bud burst. Wonder how it'll fair at the next hard frost? Also Passion flower still flowering, roses flowering and coming into leaf, daisies in the lawn, primrose next door, daffs just about in flower at my nan-in-law's, lots of trees still got some green on em.... crazy...