Keeping an eye on the leafing and budding of the trees has always been a mainstay of traditional weather forecasters.
This year the oak was just budding as the ash was sprouting.
According to folklore, this does not bode well. Traditionally the timing of either tree was once deemed to predict the summer weather. “Oak before ash,” so the old saying goes, “in for a splash. Ash before oak, in for a soak.”
While the notion of either tree being a meteorological indicator is unlikely - it does seem as if spring comes early with warmer temperatures in February and March it is likely oak trees will leaf first. However, during cold and wet springs such as that we have just experienced, ash will more likely win the race.
We’ll see how the coming season pans out presently.
