Lately, the days have been warming and there has been significant snow melt. However, the trails still demand my nano spikes, and every time I wrestle them onto my boots (cue the grunting and groaning), I remind myself how much of a game-changer they’ve been during these past few years of unpredictable snow-thaw cycles.
Beyond the shifting temperatures, one of my favorite signs of spring appears along the trails—the scattering of crisp American beech (Fagus grandifolia) leaves on top of the melting snow. Unlike most trees that shed their leaves completely in the fall, beech trees, along with oaks (Quercus spp.) and a few other deciduous species don’t form a full separation layer between their leaf petioles and twigs. Many of the leaves, particularly on younger trees, hold on through winter; this is called marcescence (Kling, 2022; Salisbury, 2023).
As sap begins to rise—evidenced by the flurry of maple sugaring underway—the trees prepare for new growth. The last of their stubborn leaves finally let go as new leaves begin to grow, or sooner as they are helped along by wind and storms (Kling, 2022). This leaf drop is especially noticeable on our local trail, where just weeks ago, we carved paths through deep snow. Now, those same trails are littered with beech leaves, a seasonal handoff from winter to spring.
For now, I can begin to look forward to losing the spikes and hiking on bare ground. The last of winter’s grip is loosening, and the forest is quietly getting ready for spring.
References
Kling, A. (2022, March 1). The mystery of marcescence. University of Maryland Extension. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mystery-marcescence/
Salisbury, K. V. (2023, July 5). Why do you just keep me hanging on? Penn State Extension. https://extension.psu.edu/why-do-you-just-keep-me-hanging-on