It was actually almost hot today. 80°F just doesn't seem right this time of year, and night temperatures have been warm, too; around 60°F the last few mornings. Everything is speeding along in its development and I noticed that the woods at the Arboretum developed that green haze that is the first indication of unfurling leaves and flower buds. The shot above is the unfurling flower buds of Quercus acutissima, sawtooth oak. It's not native, and may flower earlier than our native oaks, but it's amazing how quickly the buds have burst. Soon millions of allergy sufferers in the Mid Atlantic will know that the oaks are in full bloom. The leaves are coming out too.
I noticed these infant white oak leaves across the road from the sawtooth oak and I was struck by their velvety redness. It looks like the abnormal warmth will continue through the rest of this week and on into the next. We are all wondering what signs of spring will still be around in April.
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