I believe it is to protect the buds, which are in the leaf axils, from
winter damage.
Ministere des Ressources naturelles <mrn05 at multi-medias.ca> wrote in
article <331B1CE9.3FD4 at multi-medias.ca>...
> My question is : Why red oak and young american beech keep theirs leaves
> in the winter ( I live near Montreal at the north of the U.S. )Somebody
> told me it's because oak and beech have an imperfect metabolism at the
> autumn.
> Any response would be greatly appreciated and if you have
> reference book too.
>> Florent Lemieux
> Technicien forestier
>
