Understanding How Trees Change Throughout The Seasons

One of the most wonderful things about trees is how they change throughout the seasons. Understanding these changes can help you with your gardening and appreciate them even more. In this post, we'll give you some pointers on things to look for.

Spring

In the spring, many trees start to grow new leaves. The buds on the tree will swell and eventually break open, revealing the small, new leaves inside. Some trees also produce flowers during the spring. These flowers can be very beautiful and come in a variety of colours. During this vibrant season, trees are in a phase of active growth, drawing energy from the sun and nutrients from the soil. This rapid growth allows them to produce stunning displays of colour as their flowers bloom. Trees such as magnolias and cherry blossoms showcase spectacular floral displays that attract pollinators, playing a vital role in the ecosystem. This is a good time of year to have your trees inspected by an arborist to ensure they are blossoming as they should.

Leaves are not the only visible change trees will go through during spring. Some trees will lose their leaves in the winter and these leaves may still be visible on the ground. This is why many people have a hard time distinguishing between deciduous and evergreen trees. If there are no leaves on the tree, it can be difficult to tell whether or not it is evergreen! It's important to note that during spring, the presence of fallen leaves from deciduous trees can make it seem as though they are still in a dormant state, which can sometimes lead to confusion. However, as the new leaves unfurl and the tree starts to look full of life, the distinction between deciduous and evergreen becomes clearer.

Summer

Trees continue growing new leaves during the summer months. However, they tend to grow fewer leaves than they did in the spring because most of their energy goes into growing taller instead of producing more foliage. You can often see how tall a tree is by looking at its leaf formation - if there are lots of small branches full of new growth near the top of the tree, it is likely that the tree is still growing taller. During the summer, trees also provide much-needed shade, creating comfortable outdoor spaces. This canopy can significantly impact the microclimate beneath the tree, helping to cool the surrounding area and providing refuge for various wildlife. However, you may need to prune trees for the sake of their health. Have an arborist inspect your trees and be sure to leave this job in the hands of professionals.

As summer progresses, the new leaves continue to grow bigger and develop their characteristic shapes. The flowers on trees will also start to fade away and be replaced by fruit. The fruit can be anything from a small berry to a large apple or orange. This transition from flowers to fruit is crucial for the tree's reproductive cycle. The fruit serves as a means of spreading seeds, ensuring the continuation of the species. If you think your trees aren't transitioning properly, you may need to call an arborist to take a look.

Autumn

In the autumn, many trees start to lose their leaves. The leaves will change colour from green to yellow, orange, or red before they eventually fall off the tree. This process is called "falling" or "dropping" and can be a beautiful sight, especially if there are a lot of trees in the area changing colour at the same time. The vibrant colours seen during this season are due to the breakdown of chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves, which reveals other pigments like carotenoids and anthocyanins. This stunning transformation is not only visually striking but also signals the tree's preparation for winter, as they begin to conserve energy and resources.

Some trees, such as evergreens, do not lose their leaves in the fall. Instead, these trees simply stop producing new leaves and stay green all year long. Evergreens play a crucial role in the landscape during autumn and winter, providing year-round colour and shelter for wildlife. Their needles, which are adapted to withstand cold and dry conditions, continue to photosynthesize, albeit at a slower rate. This means that even in winter, these trees are still contributing to the ecosystem, just less visibly than their deciduous counterparts.

Winter

In the winter, deciduous trees become very easy to identify because they will be completely bare of leaves. However, evergreens look similar during the winter as they do during the summer. These trees continue to grow new branches and needles throughout the year and this growth simply slows down or stops when it is cold outside. While deciduous trees enter a state of dormancy, evergreens retain their needles and adapt to the cold weather. This dormancy is a vital survival mechanism, allowing trees to conserve energy and resources until spring arrives.

Winter is a great time to appreciate the beauty of trees that you might normally take for granted. While some trees are completely barren at this time of year, other more interesting types of trees keep their needles all year round.

So next time you're out walking in the park or driving past some trees, take a moment to appreciate how they change throughout the seasons! It's really amazing to watch.

This knowledge will also help you with your gardening, understand when and how trees and leaves are growing and assist you with choosing the right trees for your garden. Being aware of these seasonal changes will enable you to better care for your trees and select the right species for your environment, ensuring a flourishing garden year-round. If you want to learn more, talk to one of our arborists!

If you're ever looking for professional tree services in Lismore and the Northern Rivers, our team at Tallow Tree Services is always happy to help. The best way to contact us is by calling 0401 208 797.