Deciduous trees like this locust have undressed, and the bare limbs show many more seed pods to fall. When you look at the browns and grays on a rainy fall day, signs of optimism for the next growing season appear few. Even up close, growth buds for next year aren’t easy to see.
Wanting a bit of assurance that the trees around us are sustaining themselves, the local city arboretum shows a variety of deciduous trees ready for winter and buds for next year’s growth.
Flowering Crabapple “Prairiefire” and several crabapple trees in the collection have prominent buds. The mature tree has a few fruits for birds to find.
Triumph Elm has some prominent buds, even as few leaves remain.
The same is true for the Heritage Oak.
In this short stroll to some of the trees in the arboretum, the showiest buds are found on the mature ornamental Katsuratree.
In fact, looking for buds on trees entering dormancy on the Northern Plains, it is a surprise to find them easily now. Nature knows what she is doing!
This inspiration for this topic came from the November/December 2023 The American Gardener magazine. The promise of next season’s buds may become more evident as winter wears away.
Plant Exchange Blog 
I have buds on the lilac bush in my backyard!
The trees look so pretty!
Thanks, Mitzy!
It’s clear that your passion for gardening extends beyond the practical aspects—it’s a therapeutic journey and a celebration of life’s cycles. Thank you for sharing your green oasis and the stories that unfold within it. Looking forward to more insights from your plant-filled world!
Thanks for your kindness.