Greenup time in Fairbanks!
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Paper Birch
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Prickly Rose
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It’s official! In an article in today’s Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, the National Weather Service said that this past Thursday afternoon was when “greenup” happened.
Ned Rozell, a science writer for the University of Alaska, says, in an article entitled “The Long-Awaited Greening of the Hills,” that greenup is “the time when tree buds burst into leaves,” and that it, “happens so suddenly that all the leaves seem to pop out on the same day.”
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| Balsam Poplar (Cottonwood) |
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| Sandbar Willow |
It really is remarkable seeing the drab hills bursting into color. Even if recent temperatures have been rather chill, the return of colors does warm the soul.
In honor of greenup, I went out this morning taking photos of new growth. Here are some of the photos. By the way, I think the willow is Sandbar Willow. But I am no expert on willows and there are about 25 different willow species her in Alaska.
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| Highbush Cranberry |
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| White Spruce |
