Tree Buds in Winter

Preparing for my Winter Solstice retreat, I became fascinated with the word “abscission”, the process of a tree or plant shedding its leaves. Responding to the weather, the tree releases a series of hormones in the “abscission zone” so the leaves fall away. This is to conserve energy, reduce water loss and infection. The tree then releases chemicals to heal where the stems were attached to the branches. Yet at the same time as all this ‘wintering’ preparation, the tree is also producing buds for Spring!

Buds on a Black Walnut tree in winter.

Each tree’s buds are different: varying in colour, texture, size and configuration on the branch. Noticing them can help us form a relationship with our natural environment and the trees around us. It can be very mindful and calming, dropping us into the present moment and bringing us joy, wonder and delight.

The black bud of the Ash tree in winter

 “The tree is waiting. It has everything ready…It is far from dead. It is in fact the life and soul of the wood. It’s just getting on with it quietly. It will not burst into life in the spring. It will just put on a new coat and face the world again.”

― Katherine May, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

Drawing wisdom from wintering tree buds

Winter is a season of slowing down, resting and going inward. We often feel like doing less in the winter and can feel more tired. While we hunker down in the winter storms, we may begin to recognise the beginnings of ideas, plans, habits or dreams, buds already formed but in suspension, waiting for the right conditions in our lives, to come to fruition.

Branches full of buds of the European Linden

 Wintering Activity

Notice outwardly in the nature:

Take a slow walk outside among some trees.

Pause and notice the buds on the branches.

Notice and observe the tree’s buds: their size, colour, texture, number.

Then take a look at a different species of tree and notice the similarities and difference.

Twig identification chart from the Woodland Trust

Notice inwardly in yourself:

Consider what buds have formed within you? Think of dreams or ideas not yet developed or realised.

In what way can these ‘buds’ bring you more energy and life in another season?

Wintering tree buds are waiting for the right weather conditions to continue growing. What conditions allow the “buds'“ you have identified to grow?

Ongoing Activity:

Notice which tree buds “wake up” first as we approach Imbolc (1st February) or the start of Celtic Spring.

Buds forming on a Scot’s Pine

Imbolc is just round the corner on the 1st February, marking the start of Celtic Spring. The next Online Retreats are the Spring Equinox Retreats: Thursday 20th March 7 - 9pm GMT and Saturday 4-6pm GMT