Leafless trees are starting to thicken, their twigs swelling with life. The wooded hills, which a month ago stood sharp against the sky, are now softening with budding leaves.
It’s the early stage of awakening—a gentle shift that arrives with the sweet return of birdsong and longer days. Dormant buds, formed last summer, are responding to the magic of hormones and stored sugars. The Earth’s tilt towards the sun is also a big part of this transformation.
As the weather changes, so does our awareness of this growth. The protective scales keep the new buds safe, and it will be a few more weeks before we see leaves burst through.
When clouds roll in, oak and ash trees look dull and cold, seemingly untouched by spring. But then, with just a hint of sunlight, their colors burst forth like pebbles shining after a tide. Blackened branches turn deep maroon-purple. The birch is especially vibrant now, glowing a rich auburn against its white bark. While beech and rowan remain sleepy, sycamore is taking on a lovely burgundy halo.
Down by the river, goat willow is splitting its soft buds to show cotton-like tufts, which will soon become the familiar furry catkins. These early blossoms are often bursting with pollen, feeding the hungry bees. The hazel tree dangles yellow catkins, shining in the rain like glimmering copper. Alder is showing off its crimson cones, ready to unfurl.
Among all this, a tall willow by the River Char stands out with a bright orange flare. Its golden-red shoots are a stunning splash of color against the cloudy sky. This is a self-seeded garden variety of white willow (Salix alba), known for its fiery twigs. In a few months, as summer arrives, its hues will shift again. When the wind rustles its leaves, they will shimmer silver-green, revealing their lighter undersides.
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