Time to leave

Some young trees, notably oak, beech and hornbeam, hang on to their dead leaves instead of shedding them in the autumn, and they remain on the twigs, brown and withered,  until next year's buds unfurl in spring and push them off.. The phenomenon is called marcescence  (from the Latin verb meaning to wither or shrivel) but the reasons for it are not fully understood.
Several theories have been mooted: that the crisp dry leaves deter browsing animals like deer (when tested they preferred to munch without the crunch), or that late leaf  drop provides  useful nourishment  in spring, or that the dead leaves remaining in situ capture moisture or protect the emerging buds. This one seems to be doing just that and acting as a sheltering umbrella for the tender young foliage that will replace it.