WINTER BUDS 1: SYCAMORE AND ASH

Now that leaves are falling you might think tree identification would be hard.  Not a bit of it.  Bark and the shape of the tree are often distinctive and if you can get near some winter buds that is even better.

Here are two easy ones to start with, with distinctive colours: 

Sycamore buds are a yellowish green.  Very few trees have green winter buds:  Hazel and wild service tree do, but hey have alternate buds while sycamore buds are in opposite pairs.  

Remember - if you are feeling sick your face may turn green and you'll be sick a bit more.  Green buds means sycamore.

The buds on ash trees are coal black on grey bark.  The memory jogger here is that black coal burns to  grey ash.