How trees wake up in spring!

How trees wake up in spring!

With the recent good weather, we really feel like spring is on its way. The nation’s forests are coming back to life, with bees buzzing again, butterflies flying about, and up in the trees, something wonderful happening. 

When spring arrives, one of the most exciting things to see is new leaves appearing on the trees. But have you ever wondered how trees wake up after their winter nap? Well, it's not as simple as just opening their eyes, because trees were never really sleeping to begin with!

Ellen Whitby, Learning Assistant at Forestry England’s Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, explains it like this: 

"Even in winter, trees are super-smart and sensitive. They're always paying attention to what's happening around them, like how long the nights are, how much water they have, and how warm it is."

Usually, the first leaves start peeking out from their buds around March or April. But the exact timing can vary because of the weather and other factors. Ellen and her friends at the arboretum keep track of these changes, and they've seen buds bursting open as early as February!

Now, here's where it gets very interesting: the growth of new leaves isn't random. It's actually part of a special plan that trees have. Along with the changes in the environment, there are tiny things called hormones inside each bud that help the leaves grow. These hormones, such as cytokinin and auxin, are like little helpers that tell the cells to start dividing and growing.

Ellen adds:

"Springtime at the arboretum is so wonderful! The fresh sights, sounds, and smells make us all so happy after the long winter. We know spring has truly arrived when we see the buds bursting open on our horse chestnut and oak trees, followed by their beautiful flowers."

But did you know that the buds we see this year actually started growing last year? It's true! 

Dan Luscombe, a tree expert at Forestry England’s Bedgebury, National Pinetum, explains:

"Even though we notice the trees waking up in spring, they're actually busy all year round. The buds that burst open in spring actually start forming back in late summer and early autumn. Some trees even have several generations of leaves and buds on the same branch, showing how they're always growing and changing."

With all the excitement of buds bursting and trees coming to life, spring is a fantastic time for families to explore the outdoors. Every day, you can see leaves and flowers popping up in the woods, turning them into a vibrant wonderland.

So, if you want to join in the fun, sign up for Forestry England’s newsletter. They have lots of spring activities for you to enjoy! And next time you're outside, keep an eye out for the signs of growth and new beginnings that make our forests so magical in the springtime.