Send to a Friend

		Your First Name:
		Your Last Name:
		Your Email:
		Your Friend's Email:

Your Personal Message:

Yes, I would like to receive National Wildlife Federation emails.

Observe Tree Buds

In the middle of winter, many trees seem almost lifeless--no leaves, no flowers, just standing there acting dead. But take a close-up look, and you'll find little bundles of life just waiting to burst into action when warmer weather comes.

This photo shows a flower bud on the end of a dogwood twig. Right now it's all wrapped up tight, sheltered from the cold. But as spring approaches, amazing changes will begin to happen.

Here's how to keep track of the action:

Find a tree with fat buds on the ends of its branches. Flowering trees like the dogwood are nice, but any tree or bush will do.
Tie a piece of ribbon around the twig so you can tell your bud from all the others on the tree.
Take a photo of your bud and note the date you took it.
Go back to check up on your bud every month or so to see how it's doing. Take a photo of it each time, and make notes about any changes you see. (If a squirrel or other animal eats your bud, pick another just like it and keep on going.)
Your bud may turn into a flower, like the dogwood. Or it may become leaves. Either way, keep recording the action all the way till the end of fall.
If your bud was a flower, you'll see fruit or nuts starting to form after the flower fades. If it was a leaf bud, keep watching as the leaves grow, change color, and then drop off.
Put all your photos and notes into a notebook. Give it a title like, "A Year in the Life of My Good Bud."
Next winter, pick a different kind of tree and start all over again.

Activity by Gerry Bishop