Even though March came in like a lion, the trees remember that it felt like summer last month so they’re waking up for spring.

American elms (Ulmus americana) are one of the first trees to bloom and have already begun in my city neighborhood.  Right now it’s easy to recognize young elms from afar because their twig arrangement resembles a fish skeleton dotted with reddish flower buds.  The skeleton isn’t perfect though. The “ribs” (twigs) alternate up the branch.

The trees with opposite twigs and fat red buds are red maples.  They’re blooming, too.

On the last day of February at Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, the top bud on this pignut hickory was pushing out tiny leaves.  This is so premature that it reminds me of the early leaf out we had in March 2012.

And though the sycamores looked dormant next to Raccoon Creek …

… their seed balls are ready to disintegrate in the wind.

Will this weekend’s cold weather delay the trees?  I hope so!

(photos by Kate St. John)