Trees 'Wake Up' after Winter

A sycamore bud opening — Leaves and flowers break out of a sycamore bud.

Sycamore flowers and leaves — The sycamore flowers and leaves have grown much bigger.

Grey willow is often called pussy willow because of its furry catkins.

Catkins — These flowers are called catkins and their pollen blows in the wind.

Oak catkins — These are oak catkins. This is where the acorns come from.

Plum blossom appears in early spring. Insects visit the flowers before plums grow on the tree.

Trees and bushes that lost their leaves over winter begin to grow new leaves and flower in spring.

This happens because the air and soil start to warm up and the hours of daylight increase as the days get longer. Plants need light to make food so they can grow and reproduce.

Some trees produce blossom or catkins before their leaves appear. Other trees grow new leaves first. Trees need flowers if they are to produce seeds or fruit. The flowers are pollinated by insects such as bees, or by the wind.

Explore spring flowers