I was saying it aloud to myself before I read your suggestion to do so. I’m not a singer except for my pets but that’s a food idea too. re: naming trees, I do the same thing!
Lovely! And great mind think alike! I wrote a column (“Me and My Marcescence”) recently! It’s a fascinating scientific phenomenon and so rooted in metaphor for us humans.
Thank you for this wonderful new (to me!) word and for explaining it. Every time I walk the forest around us I wonder about those dead leaves on beeches and oaks... and this year I noticed two small beech saplings in our back garden and they too have kept all their leaves so far. And you're right - they are beautiful and add such a splash of light brown/oche/golden to the otherwise (now, especially) completely white landscape. A thing of beauty. Which they let go of at the right time. Like only trees can.
I too started this year by letting go of something that wasn't serving me any longer. It's not easy, it can feel like giving up. But it's feeing and opens space for new growth. Just like the trees.
Thank you for introducing us (or at least me!) to the wonderful new word of marcescence. I adore it! I will be whispering it my myself all day long. Listening to leaves rustle in the breeze is one of my greatest "therapies". Where I grew up, it was aspen leaves. How your beech trees keep some of their leaves makes for an added element of beauty for the winter season.
I loved reading this. Also made me laugh thinking of my neighbor, a lawn perfectionist who spends many hours ensuring not a blade of grass is out of place, because in late fall I have actually seen her sucking stubborn leaves off her tree with a vacuum hose! Guess she doesn't know about marcescence!
Every post I read I wish I lived close enough to attend a silent walk! I just learned about marcescence recently and I’ve been noticing the beeches and oaks around here too.
Thank you for introducing me to a new word, Jeanne, and to a new concept, the clinging of leaves by some trees when the others have let go. Such a great metaphor for us humans.
I was just talking with a friend about some trees with leaves still attached last week. Now I now the word to use to describe them. Thanks! Wonderful post!
There was a small beech tree in the woods across from our house. Sadly, the neighbor cut it down last year. Since then, it has sprouted from the stump and leafed out. I noticed during a recent walk that those suckers are still holding on to their leaves! Now that's marcescence.
Thank you for these beautiful words that enlightened me about the natural world in ways intellectually and spiritually. It was a lovely way to start my day and this new year.
The way you combine marcescence with our human need to let go of things that don't serve us is brilliant. Thank you for helping so many people, for getting us in touch with the earth, and for helping us heal. You're a beautiful beech.
Beautiful post, Jeanne. I love that word as well: "marcescence." I like the sounds those dry leaves make when a breeze moves through the forest. It's like a hushed whispered conversation among the trees.
So well said!
And, thank you for my first new word of the new year!
You're welcome, Debbie! Such a fun word to say, isn't it?
Totally.
I was saying it aloud to myself before I read your suggestion to do so. I’m not a singer except for my pets but that’s a food idea too. re: naming trees, I do the same thing!
*good* — cell phone keyboards are so small!
😎👍
I forgot to mention earlier - I love your new design💚
Thank you, Jenny! I'm glad to hear that.
Lovely! And great mind think alike! I wrote a column (“Me and My Marcescence”) recently! It’s a fascinating scientific phenomenon and so rooted in metaphor for us humans.
I missed that, Mary! Will go seek it out right now. 😊
It’s on Little Green Notebook. ❤️
Just found it. LOVE it!
Thank you for this wonderful new (to me!) word and for explaining it. Every time I walk the forest around us I wonder about those dead leaves on beeches and oaks... and this year I noticed two small beech saplings in our back garden and they too have kept all their leaves so far. And you're right - they are beautiful and add such a splash of light brown/oche/golden to the otherwise (now, especially) completely white landscape. A thing of beauty. Which they let go of at the right time. Like only trees can.
I too started this year by letting go of something that wasn't serving me any longer. It's not easy, it can feel like giving up. But it's feeing and opens space for new growth. Just like the trees.
Oh, Sara ... I love those last two sentences. So so true. Thank you for being here and for commenting. Happy letting go/winter to you!
Thank you for introducing us (or at least me!) to the wonderful new word of marcescence. I adore it! I will be whispering it my myself all day long. Listening to leaves rustle in the breeze is one of my greatest "therapies". Where I grew up, it was aspen leaves. How your beech trees keep some of their leaves makes for an added element of beauty for the winter season.
Ahhhh, the voice of aspens in the wind! I've never heard that song. Maybe some day. You were lucky to grow up there, Jenny!
Thank you, Jeanne! Yes, the song of the aspens is part of my DNA. I suspect the beeches are much the same for you.
I loved reading this. Also made me laugh thinking of my neighbor, a lawn perfectionist who spends many hours ensuring not a blade of grass is out of place, because in late fall I have actually seen her sucking stubborn leaves off her tree with a vacuum hose! Guess she doesn't know about marcescence!
Dang! That person is interfering with nature's way. Crazy!
That explains the impressive stubbornness of my American Hornbeam! Thank you!
yes! Cool, Douglas! Glad this explains it, and thank you for being here. 😄
Every post I read I wish I lived close enough to attend a silent walk! I just learned about marcescence recently and I’ve been noticing the beeches and oaks around here too.
Yes! I wish you could join us on a Silent Hike, Karen! Also .... I know KC has gotten a bunch of snow. Hope you're okay -- safe and warm!
Marcescence is such a lovely metaphor.
I agree, Jeffrey, and thank you for being here & commenting.
Thank you for introducing me to a new word, Jeanne, and to a new concept, the clinging of leaves by some trees when the others have let go. Such a great metaphor for us humans.
Yes, Ann .... another of the many metaphors nature offers us in her wisdom, right? Thank you for your thank you!
I was just talking with a friend about some trees with leaves still attached last week. Now I now the word to use to describe them. Thanks! Wonderful post!
Those trees are special, aren't they? Thanks for being here, Glenn!
There was a small beech tree in the woods across from our house. Sadly, the neighbor cut it down last year. Since then, it has sprouted from the stump and leafed out. I noticed during a recent walk that those suckers are still holding on to their leaves! Now that's marcescence.
Yay, MK! That tree's determined. I love it!
A Great Piece: new word
My favorite tree
An important practice
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I hope you have lots of beeches in your woods, Betsy!
Thank you for these beautiful words that enlightened me about the natural world in ways intellectually and spiritually. It was a lovely way to start my day and this new year.
Aw, Cathy, it's my honor to start your day and your year in a nourishing way. Thank you for being here!
The way you combine marcescence with our human need to let go of things that don't serve us is brilliant. Thank you for helping so many people, for getting us in touch with the earth, and for helping us heal. You're a beautiful beech.
Thank you, Janisse, for a beautiful compliment! I'll take that one any day.
Beautiful post, Jeanne. I love that word as well: "marcescence." I like the sounds those dry leaves make when a breeze moves through the forest. It's like a hushed whispered conversation among the trees.
Thank you, Neil ... and yeah, it's a fun word, isn't it? Though it's tricky to spell. Took me awhile to get it right. 😆