The Crow’s Path Blog

Spring is an exhilarating rush. In just a couple short weeks we went from a forest of sticks to a lush green canopy. The greenery has been hiding in dormancy, safely tucked away in buds that were formed sometime last summer. These buds, which are essentially just short branches, are typically covered in bud scales that protect the soft, embryonic leaves, stems, and occasionally flowers from cold temperatures and dry winds over the long winter months. Some buds, e.g. maples and ash, contain all of the leaves the branch will have the following growing season (this is called determinate growth), while others, e.g. elms and basswood, only have a starter kit and continuously develop new leaves throughout the growing season (indeterminate growth).