those stubborn oaks

every year i have to do two fall clean-ups. one right after the Big Leaf Drop, when 70% of the leaves in my yard are down, and then i have to do it all again, just before First Snow, to get all the oak leaves mulched. and even then, many of the oaks will hold onto their leaves all winter long, and not let go of them until the new leaf growth pushes them out next spring. what’s up with that oak trees?  why so stingy about giving up your leaves? i’m sure there’s a good reason. nature is rarely random. but, no one seems to know why you hold onto those curled and dried leaves all winter long.

red oak leaves in late autumn