1. Tree Budding Example: The Cherry Trees of Washington, DC Images and information from
Liz LaRosa
5th Grade Science
Adopt a Tree Unit – Part 1
2009

2. 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.

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

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

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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.