Gorgeous warm, sunny April day!

Thank you Julia - you are right - that tree was here when we moved in, 37 years ago. It was pretty big even then!

Oooh you are kind Sheila! Thank you. Blossom is my favourite thing of all in the garden . . . to the extent that a 4-year old granddaughter has been engrossed in her colouring book, murmuring "Grammy LURVES blossom!"

lovely trees and all that blossom. Though the one you thought was may is more likely to be blackthorn [Prunus spinosa]as that is now out in all the hedgerows around us. May /hawthorn [Crataegus monogyna the common hawthorn] tends to be in corymbs rather than more singularly as in blackthorn.
I particularly liked the Katsura. my cercis sometimes has buds form just like that too. though this year it is looking rather iffy.

Had a walk in the fields near us as the chestnuts 'sticky buds' were just breaking forth along with the sycamores and hazels. I also found an area with wild bluebells that I hadn't noticed in the 26 yrs I've in the village.

Thank you Eileen! I must admit I called the last picture 'May' with my fingers crossed . . . I wasn't at all sure, so I trust your judgement.

How lovely to come across wild bluebells.

I just feel so happy when I see things starting to grow. Its a different world here the last few days. We are starting to feel that winter is a memory. Rain most of today, but then the sun came out and it was ever so warm...lovely!

If that is blackthorn you could have Sloes..?

Blackthorn is just coming out in the hedgerows here too - such a cheering sight and one we look forward to.
What a lovely peaceful looking garden you have Sheila, and how unusual to have flower buds on the trunk of the tree!!

Thanks Karen - yes, I feel happy too seeing so many buds plus blue sky and sunshine! Never seen Sloes so will have to try Google.

Thanks very much Sue . . . this is the first year I've noticed those buds . . . will they produce flowers or leaves I wonder? I'll be keeping an eye on them.☺

Let us know won't you? Sloes look like miniature damsons but they are far too acidic to eat - make your teeth curl up!

OK :))