A FUN lesson: TREE Identification in WINTER!

The northeast got hammered with some some nasty weather on Tuesday and unfortunately it has put a damper on getting a headstart on all the spring gardening chores. The snow depth was probably only 12" but it was heavy and icy and corn-snowy. This is a time when all those eskimo words for 'snow' would come in handy.

So as my fellow gardeners and I await a thaw (unfortunately the forecast looks cold for another 2 weeks), I thought we could do a little tree ID!

How to identify a tree in winter, you ask?? One way is to examine the bark (a future lesson!), but another way is to examine the twigs and their buds!

This wonderful shrub, which is right next to my deck, is awaiting warmer weather. Can anyone identify it?

Before I give the answer....here's a handy chart: (don't forget to take a look at bark color as well!)

(this is my photo of a chart I have from naturedetectives.org.uk)

The answer is...
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Lilac!

Did anyone get it right? it was pretty easy :-)

I'd love to put up some more tree photos from my yard and neighborhood, but frankly, it's only 24 degrees F out there with a foot of cold hard pack snow! Brrrrr!

Not to mention...I have a path to nowhere...SAD!

Happy gardening! and for you still in winter zones...stay warm :-)

--gardenlady