Early Flowering Trees

In early spring, it’s easy to notice that some trees reveal bright, beautiful blooms before their leaves have emerged. Right now, across Long Island, you can observe pops of pink and white on cherry, magnolia, and dogwood trees, for example. Have you ever wondered why some flowers arrive so early?

Besides just looking lovely, flowers play a role in plant reproduction. Pollination can be easier to achieve without the physical competition from leaves in some cases. Whether a tree’s pollination occurs through wind or with assistance from pollinators like bees, birds, or bats, leaves create some interference once they emerge.

Flowering before foliage grows also maximizes sunlight exposure for the buds, strategically extending the growing season for fruit and seed development. In cold climates like New York, leaves won’t safely emerge until it’s warm enough, so some flowers get a head start on the season!