Each year I find my winter bud identification gets stronger and stronger. As with most aspects of tree surveying, the more you do – and the more you encounter on a regular basis – the more proficient you become. This is most certainly true of winter tree identification skills.

Beyond the obvious size and colour, buds can offer up a range of distinguishing features; alternate, opposite or spiralling arrangements, lateral and terminal bud differences, and buds that are pilose, pubescent or glabrous. Whereas a pair of binoculars are useful for inspecting the canopy in spring and summer, a hand lens is a must for the latter, along with examination of leaf scars and scales.

The Field Studies Council have published a couple of excellent identification guides for those interested in improving tree identification skills in winter,

A guide to the identification of deciduous broad-leaved trees and shrubs in winter. (2023). Andrew May and Jonathan Panter. ISBN. 978 1 85153 207 0.

Winter Trees: A photographic guide to common trees and shrubs (2023). Dominic Price and Leif Bersweden. ISBN. 978 1 908819 11 6.

However, I’m extremely grateful to George Trott who pointed me in the direction of Bernd Schulz’s (2020) Identification of trees and shrubs in winter using buds and twigs. Published by Kew Publishing, this weighty tome is an invaluable asset and a must for anyone inspecting trees in the winter, especially in parks, gardens and other planted properties, where the planting list often extends beyond native species.