The Promise of Spring by Heather Doherty was originally published in the BFEC Newsletter, Vol. 18/No. 1, Winter 2014.
In each tiny tree bud, leaves await their moment in the sun. Here’s a short guide on how to tell what leaves spring will bring.
Even if you recall trying this as a child, it’s worth another go: walk by a tree and grab one of those low-hanging branches. You might find several buds, but look for the large “end bud.” Peel off the little protective bud scales, and depending on the tree species, you may find the tiniest of leaves, tightly packed for spring.
In addition to being a cause for hope, admiring tree buds can help you identify just what kind of leaves will emerge. That’s because each tree species has distinct buds and twigs, some providing a complete sensory experience.
The buckeye bud pictured below is rotund (by bud standards) and has a distinct end bud. (Some claim that the scratched twig has a "rank odor," though I did not find this to be true). Other species have much more delicate buds, or in the case of oaks, have several buds clustered at the end of the twig.
One of my favorites is the silver maple’s plump red bud clusters. As the sun’s rays become warmer in February and March, they swell and their color deepens, a welcome sign of spring that you can witness on the many silver maples growing behind the BFEC farmhouse.
Another tell-tale feature on twigs are leaf scars, which form when leaves fall. In the buckeye photo below, you can see a scar on the left side of the twig that looks rather triangular. But leaf scars on ash trees look like crescent moons, while black walnut and hickories have “monkey face” leaf scars. (Go ahead, use your imagination on the black walnut twig pictured right).
Some trees leave other traces of their identity in winter. Oak trees are known for keeping their leaves through winter, as are American beeches, pictured below. The beech’s leaves turn a pale peach, and are accompanied by long, skinny buds.
The birds are thankful that other trees hang on to seeds and fruits through the winter, which become important food sources. The sycamore twig pictured here is shown with its large, round seed head. In late winter, look for birds hanging from them and picking out the small individual seeds as they bide their time until spring.