Tree Budding Example: The Cherry Trees of Washington, DC Images and information from http:nationalch

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Tree BuddingExample The Cherry Trees of
Washington, DCImages and information from
http//nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index
.php?id390

• Liz LaRosa
• 5th Grade Science
• Adopt a Tree Unit Part 1
• http//www.middleschoolscience.com 2009

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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.

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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

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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

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Budding Stages

• Stage 5 Av. 4-6 days to Peak Bloom
• Puffy White

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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.

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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
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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.