The trees that keep their dead leaves

The trees that keep their dead leaves

By November, most deciduous trees have become honest silhouettes. The maple has emptied itself. The serviceberry is bare. The birch has given its leaves to the path. Then, at the woodland edge or in a young hedge, a beech or oak still stands with dry copper leaves clinging to every twig, rattling softly whenever the wind moves through. It can…

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Why autumn leaves blush before they fall

Why autumn leaves blush before they fall

By late September, the garden begins to keep two calendars at once. Tomatoes may still be ripening. Dahlias may still be loud. But above them, a serviceberry starts to ember at the edges, a dogwood darkens toward wine, and a maple holds green, yellow, and red on the same branch as if it has not yet decided what season it…

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