02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Tile Image

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony

Summary

🌿 Springs Subtle Symphony The Rise of Sap 🌿

Mark your calendars for March 2nd! Join us as we delve into the enchanting transformation of London's trees and landscapes. As winter loosens its grip, the subtle changes in the color and texture of buds signal the arrival of spring. Discover how willows, alders, and poplars begin to awaken, their buds swelling and leaves emerging in a vibrant display of nature's renewal. Learn about the fascinating variations in leafing times among different tree species and how the landscape transforms from grey to green. From the shiny, sticky buds of horse chestnuts to the vivid emerald whorls of larch leaves, each tree tells a story of resilience and rebirth. Explore how these changes attract birds and other wildlife, creating a dynamic and lively environment. Don't miss this captivating exploration of nature's awakening and the promise of warmer days ahead!

Article

SAP Rising

Buds are continuing to swell subtly changing the overall colour of the landscape. We now notice trees close to water are changing more than most. Willows are getting greener, alders and birches less purple and poplars can suddenly change from grey to tan.

There can be as much as four weeks between individual leafing dates from one year to the next but cold, dry winters generally delay leafing for about two weeks. Some trees such as poplars all come into leaf at the same time whereas others such as limes and horse chestnuts vary even though two trees of similar age may be growing beside each other.

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image

At the beginning of March it is hard to miss the enormous shiny, sticky buds of horse chestnuts starting to open. Soon after we start to notice willows beside water, dogwood and guelder rose on the downs and larch trees wherever they are.

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image

The small, emerald green whorls of larch leaves opening are the most vivid of all. The bud scales that have protected the leaves all winter not only open or drop off but often change colour as they do so. Lime buds especially become a much deeper coral colour prior to bursting into leaf whereas the sooty matt black bud scales of ash trees are as yet unchanged.

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image

By the middle of the month tree leaves are starting to follow early flowers especially among the cherries. These first leaves are often quite a different colour than they will be even in two weeks time. The clustered buds of many Japanese cherries are not only getting larger but also redder. This is attracting wood pigeons who we see eating them much as bullfinches did in the past. Some gardeners now take branches of cherry trees in full bud indoors to watch the flowers unfold in front of them in a day or two.

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image

On the open landscape it is usually the hawthorn hedges we notice first turning another vivid green.

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image

In town it is more likely to be sycamores and hornbeams due to their abundance. The elm buds that burst into tiny clusters of crimson and purple flowers early in the month may well have already turned into pea-green winged seeds by the end of it.

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image

02-Mar Spring's Subtle Symphony Section Image