The story I heard is a little different. The leaves are hypothesized to be
a deterrant to herbivores that might nibble off the lower buds in winter. I
also heard a rumor that experimental evidence does not support this story, but
noone has given me a good alternative and I have not seen a study in the
literature. I still like this explanation.
Many other oaks besides reds keep their leaves: pin oaks, white oaks, post
oaks, black oaks, to name a few. I don't recall if chestnuts do.
Doug Jensen
Berea College
_______________________________________________________________________________
Subject: imperfect metabolism
From: Ministere des Ressources naturelles <mrn05 at multi-medias.ca> at Berlink
Date: 3/4/97 4:24 PM
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
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From: Ministere des Ressources naturelles <mrn05 at multi-medias.ca>
Subject: imperfect metabolism
Date: Mon, 03 Mar 1997 10:48:09 -0800
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