PLT Activity # 65: Bursting Buds

I decided to photograph flower and leaf buds on a few trees and follow their progress throughout the seasons. In order to do this, I chose young trees with branches close to my height so that I could easily see and photograph them.
TREE # 1:

Tree # 1

Here is the whole tree.

Tree # 1

It is helpful to know what you are seeing on a twig. For reference purposes, and to catalog what we are seeing, let's look at Tree # 1. The "Terminal Bud" is the bud at the tip of the twig. The "Lateral Bud" (and there are many) are located on the sides of the twig. They may be alternate, opposite, or whorled. The "Lenticels" are small pores that allow for gas exchange of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and water vapor. And, the shape of lenticels can help with tree identification. The "Leaf Scar" is left behind when the stem of a leaf separates from the twig.

Tree # 1

Check out this leaf scar. You can see the "Bundle Scar" which contains the small marks on the scar that show where vascular tissue extended from the stem to the veins of the leaves. This allowed for nutrients and water to travel in both directions.

Tree # 1

On this twig you can see the catkins that are still attached from last year. These are cylindrical flower clusters which bear single sex flowers that appear before the leaves open on the tree. We should see this year's catkins developing soon.

Tree # 1

Here is a close-up of a flower and bud.

NOW, ONTO TREE # 2:

Tree # 2

Tree # 2 is a tiny, many stemmed tree growing at the base of one of the red maple stumps in the bird feeder area. I'll bet you can guess what species it is by looking at the dead leaves that have yet to fall off from last year!

Tree # 2

Here is a twig from Tree # 2. Notice the difference in bud shape from Tree # 1.

Tree # 2

Terminal Bud with bud scales protecting it. These buds are much more elongated than those of Tree # 1.

TREE # 3:

Tree # 3

This tree has skinny twigs off of a small stem. Notice the alternate arrangement of the buds on the twigs.

Tree # 3

Here is a close-up of some of the buds. Again, a very different shape from trees # 1 & 2. Are you starting to get the idea that buds are a distinguishing characteristic of trees, even before they leaf out?

TREE # 4:

Tree # 4

Here is a photo of the whole tree.

Tree # 4

Tree # 4 has these fabulous flower clusters in an opposite arrangement on the twig.

Tree # 4

I wish that I had photographed this plant before the clusters had opened. So different from the other trees in this study!

Tree # 4

Here is a close-up shot of one of the flower clusters. And, don't those look like green leaves waiting to unfurl? We'll see!

TREE # 5:

Tree # 5

Tree # 5 is one of my favorite tree species. Check out all these glorious flower buds! Do you know what kind of tree this is? By the way, this particular tree was bent over by the one that fell on our back fence, so it is now at eye height.

Tree # 5

Here is another view showing the buds that develop at different rates.

Tree # 5 with flowers opened

Note that on this twig, you can see a feature that is not present on every tree. It is the "Terminal Bud Scale Scar." These are scars that encircle the twig left over from terminal bud scales falling off. O’Connor, Teage. “Twigs & Buds.” Https://phyllotaxy.com/natural-History/trees/twigs-Buds/, 22 Apr. 2020.