Buds in Winter

In winter, it may seem like the trees are lifeless skeletons. Not the case! Look closely and you will find buds waiting to burst into life as the warmer weather arrives.

Without leaves, buds are the best way to identify trees. A tree’s buds may be opposite, alternate or spiraling along the branch. Buds can be large or small, round or pointed, smooth or hairy and come in an array of colours.

Ash buds have always been my favourite. As a trainee ranger I found comfort in them, as they were the first tree bud I could successfully identify. For me, ash buds at the tip of a branch resemble the foot of some three toed animal. This thought has stayed with me through the years and ash buds remain my favourite winter bud today.