Budding Trees

We often think of trees as being dormant during the cold winter months. But like many of us who are preparing for warmer weather, trees are too.

Take a walk outside. Look closely at the tips of the tree’s branches. Have they started to set their leaf buds already?

Some tree species create buds in the late summer and fall to get a head start on next year’s growth. In addition, some flowering trees will have flower buds getting ready for their spring debut. Botanists, arborists AND YOU can use tree bark, branching patterns, and the shape and patterns of its buds to identify tree species in winter also.

This promise of the end of winter is a hopeful sign of new life to come.

Pair this knowledge with the fun book Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing the Trees by Jim Arnosky and head out on a winter adventure to peek at the trees!