Above example: Left is Red Oak
Right is America Beech

In simple terms these are species that have a delayed shedding of leaves, they tend to hold their dead leaves over-winter, dropping them when when new buds push them off in spring.

May protect from winter browsing, trap snow for moisture and reduce wind desiccation on young stems.

Core Marscescent Species (Most Notable)
These are the most consistently recognized in GLSL forests:
1. American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
2. Red Oak Group (Quercus rubra, Q. velutina, etc.)
3. Ironwood/American Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
4. American Hornbeam/Musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana) less consistent though.

Occasionally Marcescent Species
Known to hold leaves under certain conditions (juvenile trees, stress, edge habitats):
5. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
6. Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum)
7. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
8. Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) dry leaves on younger stems
9. Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) minimal but possible
10. Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) drops most by midwinter, though some retention is common

Shrubs that behave similarly:
11. American Hazel (Corylus americana)
12. Beaked Hazel (Corylus cornuta)
13. Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) young stems retain leaves