Spring is well and truly on its way and the leaves are gearing up for the increase in day light hours.

Many people think that it is hard to identify a tree without its leaves. But look closely at the buds and they will help you to name the tree.

First, look to see if the buds are covered in hairs. These are likely to be alder, pears, apples rowan or field maples. Are the buds spaced alternately along the twigs?

These will be limes, rowan, hawthorn, and alder and if the twig has a zigzag look to it as well then it will be hazel, beech and elm.

Buds which are spaced opposite each other along the twigs are sycamore, field maple, ash and elder. If the buds seem to be in clusters at the ends of the twigs these are cherries and oaks.

Buds are usually wrapped up tight by modified leaves which can look scaly.

This protects the growing shoots and flowers inside from frost and eventually these casings will fall off when the buds grow bigger.

In the case of horse chestnuts, the buds are usually very sticky to protect them from insects and the glue helps the scales cover the buds for longer, letting the growing leaves and flowers inside get much bigger.

Usually the blackthorn and elder tree open up first and ash and oak leaves are some of the slowest to arrive.

Hazel, alder and silver birch are easy to identify now as they are in full flower and we know them by term catkins.

Hazel catkins are fluffy and greenish-golden, you should also be able to spot the blackening cone-like alder seed-heads.

The long catkins are usually the male flower of the tree, whilst the female flower part tends to be shorter.

Catkins are usually pollinated by the wind except for most willows which are insect pollinated.

Why not keep a diary of when the buds open and then measure them each day to see how big they get?

Or get crafty and cut out some paper leaves, see who can fold and roll them up the tightest, hold your bud tight with brown tissue which you can wrap and twist around your leaf.

But most of all keep enjoying nature and all the wonderful changes as the season progresses.

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