Tree following link box for May 2024

Leaves of young guelder rose tree (Viburnum opulus) in my garden this week

Here we go again with the monthly tree-following get-together. It’s May and the trees are flourishing here in South Wales on a mixture of sunshine and showers. Although the temperatures are still pretty cool for spring.

I expect to visit the Photinia davidsoniae I am following in nearby Thompson’s Park later this week and I look forward to seeing everyone else’s news and pictures once again.

I’m sure you regular tree followers will have something to report. Point to any tree-related post you would like to share, using the link box below. And please don’t forget to leave a comment.

The link box is now open for contributions and will stay open until 7pm GMT on May 14.

If you are new to tree following, read all about the idea here.

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April 2024 tree following – now I understand

Newish leaves on the Photinia davidsoniae in Thompson’s Park, Cardiff

I had trouble understanding why the tree I am following this year is classified as a Photinia, as it does not look much like the Photinia “Red Robin” seen in so many gardens.

But now I see, as the new leaves show a reddish tinge. The tree is in Thompson’s Park, right against the fence, and is a Photinia davidsoniae.

I have also proven to myself a point made by Hollis that the orange “berries” are actually pomes – see below.

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Tree following link box for April 2024

Unfolding leaves of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) this week

It’s that time again for the monthly tree-following get-together. It’s April and green is sprouting forth everywhere in South Wales at the moment.

After a wet March we are having April showers and again some strong winds. But at least the hours of daylight are increasing, along with the temperatures.

I have already been to visit the Photinia davidsoniae I am following in nearby Thompson’s Park and will post about it this week.

I hope you have all had a chance to inspect your trees and I look forward to seeing everyone’s news and pictures once again.

I’m sure you regular tree followers will have something to report. Point to any tree-related post you would like to share, using the link box below. And please don’t forget to leave a comment.

The link box is now open for contributions and will stay open until 7pm GMT on April 14.

If you are new to tree following, read all about the idea here.

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March 2024 tree following – a dull day

New leaves on the Photinia davidsoniae in Thompson’s Park, Cardiff

I usually visit the park in sunny weather, but this week I realised the benefits of visiting when the skies are grey, as I wasn’t “blinded by the light”…

The tree I am following in 2024 is in Thompson’s Park, right against the fence, and is apparently a rarity in this country, a Photinia davidsoniae.

There was some new leaf growth, although it does not have a red tinge as I had been led to believe. However, I did notice the thorns on the tree this time and its multi-stemmed nature.

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Tree following link box for March 2024

Yew tree (Taxus baccata)

It’s that time again for the monthly tree-following get-together. It’s March and spring is definitely on its way here in South Wales.

There have been some clear, sunny days after February’s rain and there are daffodils and sprouting leaves everywhere.

I hope you have all had a chance to inspect your trees and I look forward to seeing everyone’s news and pictures once again.

I’m sure you regular tree followers will have something to report. Point to any tree-related post you would like to share, using the link box below. And please don’t forget to leave a comment.

The link box is now open for contributions and will stay open until 7pm GMT on March 14.

If you are new to tree following, read all about the idea here.

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February 2024 tree following – a new subject

Not much left – bare stalks of my new tree in February

I have finally decided on the tree I will follow in 2024. It’s in Thompson’s Park, so not far away, and is apparently a rarity in this country. I had seen it before when the orange berries were at their best in mid winter, but had not realised the species.

I found it on the Cardiff Council Parks website, which gives the following information:

It’s a Photinia davidsoniae, a small, multi-stem, thorny tree with oblanceolate leaves, dark green, leathery and glossy, up to 15cm long and tapering at both ends.

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Tree following link box for February 2024

Liquidambar tree in winter, at night…

It’s that time again for the monthly tree-following get-together. It’s February already and I am still uncertain about which tree I will follow this year. I have two in mind so will try to decide this week.

I am rather housebound with my husband-caring duties at the moment, so just hoping I will be able to get out for an hour.

The weather has been changeable this month, alternating wet and windy and colder and drier.

I hope you have all had a chance to inspect your trees and I look forward to seeing everyone’s news and pictures once again.

I’m sure you regular tree followers will have something to report. Point to any tree-related post you would like to share, using the link box below. And please don’t forget to leave a comment.

The link box is now open for contributions and will stay open until 7pm GMT on February 14.

If you are new to tree following, read all about the idea here.

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My 10 years of tree following – part 2: 2019 to 2023

I have now been observing trees and posting monthly updates for a decade, although I have been hosting the tree following link box only since November 2015, when I took over the role from Lucy Corrander.

So, to remind myself of all those good old days, I am sharing once again my 10 favourite trees, in two dollops as I can never manage to edit down my photo selection. You can find the first five years here. Now for the second five years…

2019: Year of the LONDON PLANE
(Platanus × acerifolia or Platanus × hispanica)

Still working in Cardiff Bay in 2019, I chose to follow a London plane tree in Mermaid Quay…

Plane tree in March

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My 10 years of tree following – part 1: 2014 to 2018

I have now been observing trees and posting monthly updates for a decade, although I have been hosting the tree following link box only since November 2015, when I took over the role from Lucy Corrander.

So, to remind myself of all those good old days, I am sharing once again my 10 favourite trees, in two dollops as I can never manage to edit down my photo selection…

2014: Year of the HORNBEAM
(Carpinus betulus)

This tree is in Cardiff’s Llandaff Fields and for a few months I thought it was a beech (Fagus sylvatica). Doh!

Hornbeam in October

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Tree following link box for January 2024

Golden weeping willow tree beside the Thompson’s Park duck pond this week

It’s another year and I am not sure if any of our regular tree followers will want to continue with this task and maybe choose a new tree to follow through the months of 2024?

I will understand if anyone drops out but it would also be wonderful if you carried on or if we maybe rounded up any new tree-lovers.

Here in South Wales the rain has finally stopped for a few days and the blue skies and crisp, colder weather is surely raising everyone’s sad winter spirits. I even managed to plant my spring bulbs this week – many months later than they should have been set into the soil.

I am still trying to select a tree to follow this year, so I think I will write a round-up 10 years of tree following in my January post and try to choose a new tree for February.

I look forward to seeing everyone’s news and pictures once again. Point to any tree-related post you would like to share, using the link box below. And please don’t forget to leave a comment.

The link box is now open for contributions and will stay open until 7pm GMT on January 14.

If you are new to tree following, read all about the idea here.

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