Tree limbs in downtown Macon (photo Josephine Bennett)
Right now many flowering trees are covered with buds and look more like its early spring than winter, especially those in urban environments. It hasn’t been cold enough for concrete to cool down and many lack enough topsoil to be protected from temperature swings.
Arborist Odis Sisk says trees establish buds in the fall and some could open early and be damaged by cold.
“When springtime comes around and you’ve thought, ‘well, my beautiful Cherry the past 12 years has always bloomed really nice. I can’t wait to see the flowers.’ It may have significant loss in the amount of active buds that are still left on the tree.”
Sisk says many urban trees are not native to Georgia and don’t adapt well to the changing environment. They’re chosen because they grow fast and look good.
