still hanging around

i wish i knew what kind of leave these were. while the big leaf drop happens in late ocotober here. there are a few trees (oaks and willows for example) that hold their leaves well into winter. no one really know for sure why. one (partial) explanation is that non-native trees don’t know well enough to let go of their leaves–but that only explains some of the trees and shrubs that hold leaves into winter like buckthorn.  anyway, i don’t know what these leaves are…they look a little like linden bracts–which are still hanging around. but i don’t think that is what they are. any talented naturalists out there, who can help me out?

unidentified winter leaves