Retention of Leaves by Deciduous Trees

Abstract

WITH regard to the interesting communications concerning the retention of their leaves by young beeches, I beg to forward another possible solution. The beech is a “frost-tender” species, and early frosts, which would not rise high enough to affect large trees, would freeze the leaves of “small young” trees, thus preventing the formation of the abscission layer of cork at the base of the petiole. In such a case there is no reason why the leaves should fall off for a considerable time.