This landmark weeping beech tree at Amen Farm finally has dropped most of her leaves now, revealing her previously covered curves. She’ll probably keep some of her lowest leaves on until spring brings her a new wardrobe.
Some trees, especially beeches, oaks, and willows, are too bashful to disrobe while the other trees are doing so in the fall. This beech’s leaves didn’t begin to wither until November. Here’s what she looked like in late October:
The trees that have such longer-lasting leaves are said to have “marcescent” leaves, a word derived from the Latin root for drooping, withering, and languishing. (Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on October 20 [with leaves] and December 3 [without most leaves], 2021.)