Do Trees Have Antifreeze?

FODM Board member Jessica Strother, a forester, led a walk on February 27, 2016, and described three of the ecotones of the preserve:  the swamp forest, the floodplain forest and the tidal marsh.  She explained that trees breathe through their leaves and root system.  Trees like the pumpkin ash tolerate water, but cedars like drier, upland soil. 

Trees can winterize, she said, to survive cold weather, by converting starch to sugar.  To protect themselves in winter, trees’ cells become somewhat viscous.  The group observed differences in trees like the sycamore, sweet gum, maple, cedars and several types of oaks.

Photos courtesy of Glenda Booth

Jessie described the ecotones of the preserve. The narrow-leaf cattail marsh is prominent.