Flora Blooming Early in the Valley

Observation by Christopher Crews:

Some paper birch trees were breaking their leaf buds this weekend. Didn't notice much on Saturday, but by Sunday evening it was becoming very noticeable. Chokecherries and bird cherries are about 5 days further along in leaf development than are the birches. Some roses too, but mostly the rugosa roses around homes and businesses. Cotoneaster also began slowly leafing out about 8 days ago.

Resources:

• U.S. Forest Service, Common Trees of Alaska, Paper birch (Betula neoalaskana)

• University of Alaska Fairbanks, Cooperative Extension Service - Chokecherries (Prunus virginiana)

• University of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Natural Heritage Program - rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa)

• Wikipedia - Cotoneaster frigidus