New hazel leaves (Corylus avellana) - added later: actually it's a hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
The other evening the spring sun was low in the sky and I couldn’t resist taking some back-lit pictures of new leaves on the street trees of the city.
I have already written about wonderful autumn leaves but they are also at their most glorious when they first open in spring.
Leaves of lime or linden (Tilia)
New growth in a beech hedge (Fagus sylvatica)
Very high up, the crown of a magnificent copper beech (Fagus sylvatica purpurea) with new red leaves and flowers visible
It’s interesting seeing those flowers on the copper beech, as I failed to spot them last year when I was doing my Wildlife Through the Year blogging. Clearly I was looking for them, and the beech fruits or mast, too late in the year. I was looking for the fruit in October.
As well as the great trees, there is also new growth on plants in the garden…
Unfurling fern
New leaves on a Japanese Acer
Feathery leaves of a red Japanese Acer
Another red one - Cotinus coggygria 'Notcutt's Variety'
Fresh green lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis)
New apple mint or woolly mint leaves (Mentha suaveolens)
And finally - a blue Hosta
The Squirrelbasket 
Thanks for the spring preview… ours should be coming soon.
Thanks for commenting. Not sure when spring usually comes to Wisconsin, but I’m sure it won’t be long!
Best wishes
Some awesome pictures…Wisconsin is lucky to have you..
I love spring, it gives a fresh start to life..we should take a lesson from natures’ message.
By the way do you know what my definition of a “weed” is ?
answer: The love child of a “wildflower”….well I’m off to my garden of very low maintenance..have a “weedy”good day..kj