Tree Budding Example: The Cherry Trees of Washington, DC Images and information from http://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=390 Liz LaRosa 5th Grade Science Adopt a Tree Unit – Part 1 http://www.middleschoolscience.com 2009

Tree Budding 2009 Bloom Watch Average Peak Bloom Date: April 4 2009 Blooming Period: March 28 – April 11, 2009 2009 Peak Bloom Date Forecast: April 1 - 4, 2009 The Cherry Trees of the Tidal Basin were a gift from Japan in 1912. The blossoms are pink and white and signal the much awaited arrival of spring. Blooming Period: is defined as a period that starts when 20% of the blossoms are open and ends when the petals fall and the leaves appear. Peak Bloom Date : 70% of the blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) trees are open.

Budding Stages Stage 1: Mid to Late February to Early March Green Color in Buds Stage 2: Early to Mid March, Av. 16-21 days to Peak Bloom Florets Visible

Budding Stages Stage 3: Av. 12-17 days to Peak Bloom Extension of Florets Stage 4: Av. 5-10 days to Peak Bloom (Frost Critical) Peduncle Elongation

Budding Stages Stage 5: Av. 4-6 days to Peak Bloom Puffy White:

Bud Development Buds are formed the previous summer while the tree is in its growing phase. The buds remain dormant through the fall and winter. In the spring, the buds start to grow again and burst open, cracking open the protective scales that cover them. Some trees make flowers first while others make leaves first, but they both come from buds.

Basic Parts of a Twig terminal bud — a bud that is at the tip of a stem or branch bud scale — a small modified leaf on the outside of a bud lateral bud — a bud that is situated along the sides of a branch and not at the tip leaf scar — the scar left on a twig when a leaf falls pith — central, usually soft portion of a twig http://www.clemson.edu/extfor/publications/bul117/characteristics.htm

Adopt Your Tree Your tasks for this week are: Look for budding and identify the terminal and lateral buds, and then determine if flowers and/or leaves are emerging. Make Sketches. Step back from your tree and sketch the general silhouette of your tree. How many trunks does it have? Is it tall and thin, short and full, is it narrow at the trunk and full in the crown? Do a bark rubbing and make as many observations about the bark as you can, such as color and texture. Stand still by your tree for at least 5 minutes. Do you notice any wildlife in or around your tree? Birds, insects, small animals, etc. Record all your observations and place into your Tree folder.