Spring? Tree leaves.

I was very surprised when on my lunchtime walk to see these leaves appearing on a small tree. While milder than last year, it has still been pretty cold, at least colder than winters we had up to 2009, where snowdrops appeared in early January, and daffodils in early March. This winter seems more traditional, snowdrops and crocuses have only recently flowered.

On larger trees it always takes longer for the leaves to appear. Buds take all winter to be produced ready to burst open in Spring. These leaves were on a small tree in a sheltered area high above the Roseburn Path at Ravelston. Trees lower down won't receive sunlight for a few more weeks yet. This tree is in the sunshine, and sheltered. But it is getting lighter in the morning now.

Can't be long until Spring now, can it?