Frosted oak leaves on January 3, 2017
Before I turn my attention to a new tree to follow in 2017, I am looking back with fondness at the old oak (Quercus robur) I have followed throughout 2016 in Thompson’s Park, Cardiff.
I visited again on a frosty day last week but now it’s winter there is not going to be much change until it starts the annual cycle again in spring.
The only new observation was this spent firework from the New Year’s Eve festivities…
Firework shell under the oak on January 3, 2017
So here is a comparison of how the tree looked as the months passed in 2016.
First some general views…
Oak in March 2016
Oak in April 2016
Oak in May 2016
Oak in July 2016
Oak in September 2016
Oak in early November 2016
Oak in late November 2016
Oak in December 2016
Leaves through the year…
Dead leaves from the previous year in January 2016
Leaf buds in early March 2016
Breaking leaf buds at the end of March 2016
First baby leaves in April 2016
Lush leaves in the rain in May 2016
Lammas leaves (second flush) in July 2016
A hint of transparency in mature leaves, also in July 2016
Some leaves turn to autumn in October 2016
More autumn leaves in November 2016
Proper autumn in December 2016
There were disappointingly few flowers, but here they are…
Male oak flowers at the end of April 2016
Male oak flowers in the rain, May 2016
The female flowers were hard to spot and few and far between, but I saw these in May 2016
The flowers didn’t turn into acorns, but they did give rise to galls…
Acorn cup gall (made by the wasp Andricus grossulariae) in August – you can almost see the base of the acorn trying to form
I think this is also a cup gall, in October
This one in September looks more like a knopper gall (from the wasp Andricus quercuscalicis)
Oak marble galls (from the wasp Andricus kollari) at the end of March 2016
More marble galls in October
My favourite galls have been these ram’s horn galls (from the wasp Andricus aries)
The same galls in October…
…and in November…
…and December
And finally, when I first met the tree I didn’t know the species, so I called it the pigeon tree. This is why…
Pigeons in March
Pigeons in May
Pigeons in July
Pigeons in September
Pigeons in November
So it’s goodbye to my old friend the pigeon tree, a constant in my life for a whole year…
Oak tree on January 3, 2017
You can see all my posts about trees here.
The Squirrelbasket 
Magical Pat. Look forward to reading the posts for your new tree.
Thanks. But I have to find my tree first!
All the best đŸ™‚
I think your oak was most photogenic in April, with the beautiful fresh green color but not so much as to hide the interesting branching.
Best wishes … and again, thanks for hosting! Btw, I’m taking a different approach this year, couldn’t resist.
cheers đŸ™‚
I love your fossil palm post – and look forward to seeing where you will be taking your ideas throughout 2017 đŸ™‚
Great. I loved the photos through the year.
Thank you for your kind comment đŸ™‚
A lovely photo of frost on the leaves… To me it’s interesting that the tree did not leaf out fully till May, then did not turn fully till December. From your comments on the December post, I suppose it was just the way last year’s weather went?
It’s hard to tell from year to year, but here in warm and wet south Wales autumn usually does drag on well into December. And although I was impatient at first, I’m told oaks are quite late breaking into leaf.
I know we have a saying about the leaves – ash before oak, we’re in for a soak, oak before ash, we’re in for a splash. I can’t remember which way around it was this year, though…
A nice summary. Oaks are majestic trees.
I’m a bit sad that oaks don’t grow wild where I live now. I rather miss them.
I suppose it’s too cold up your way…
Here in southern Britain we tend to think of “oak and ash and (haw)thorn”.
Best wishes – stay warm!
That is a great visual diary of a year in the life of a tree. It must be enormously satisfying to have seen the year through, I know it takes an enormous effort to keep the momentum going, so good job well done!
Thanks, although I’m struggling to find a new tree nearby this year…
Best wishes đŸ™‚