Beech tree retains previous year's leaves

By mid-winter the leaves on many juvenile beech trees have still not fallen as the leaves of the other trees in the forest.  As winter lets us see a good distance across the forest land, we can spot where the young beech trees are from far away.  This beech tree (Fagus grandifolia) in the east end of Clegg Garden is getting rather mature but still shows the previous season's leaves.  This property is called marcescense.

Link to marcescence:

Link to discussion of marcescence in a beech forest:

The old house in the background is being remodeled to house the NICHES headquarters.  Notice the new wood deck and stairway to the front entrance.  It was getting built the day this photo was taken, February 4, 2015.

Link to Fagus grandifolia: