A project of the Chicago Botanic Garden
A project of the Chicago Botanic Garden
Plant Group
Deciduous trees and shrubs are woody plants.
They shed their leaves at the end of the growing season, usually in the winter. However, leaf drop can also occur during a dry season in warm climates. Examples include red maple, chokecherry, and common lilac.
At Budburst, we group deciduous trees and deciduous shrubs together. However, there are significant differences. Deciduous trees are generally defined as woody, self-supporting perennial plants that have a single main stem (trunk) and grow to more than 20 feet tall. Deciduous shrubs—while also woody, perennial plants—are smaller than trees (less than 20 feet) and usually have several stems.
Although these trees and shrubs differ in appearance, they share similar life events (phenology). This is why Budburst places them in the same group.
Life events for this plant group revolve around leafing, flowering, fruiting, leaf color change, and leaf drop. Plants are unique, and the same phenophase on red maple will look a little different than on a sugar maple.
No Flowers
No flowers or pollen visible.
Flower Bud Burst
Flower sepals, the protective bud scales, have shed from the bud, exposing tender new growth tissues of one or more flower buds.
First Flower
First flowers are fully open (stamens/pistils are visible) on at least three branches. When open, flowers on wind-pollinated trees and shrubs will release yellow dust-like pollen when touched.
Early Flowering
Only a few flowers have emerged (less than 5%) or pollen is just starting to disperse.
Middle Flowering
Half or more of the flowers are fully open or releasing pollen on three or more branches.
Late Flowering
Most flowers have wilted or fallen off (over 95%) or most pollen has fallen.
No Ripe Fruit
No ripe fruits or seeds visible.
First Ripe Fruit
First fruits become fully ripe or seeds drop naturally from the plant on three or more branches. Ripening is often indicated by a change to the mature color or by drying and splitting open.
Early Fruiting
Only a few ripe fruits or seeds are visible (less than 5%).
Middle Fruiting
Half or more branches have fully ripe fruit or the seeds are dropping naturally from the plant. If fruits are in clusters or stalks, then record when at least one fruit is ripe on at least half of the branches.
Late Fruiting
Most fruits or seeds have been dispersed from the plant (over 95%).
No Leaves
No new leaves visible.
Leaf Bud Burst
Protective scale coating is shed from the bud, exposing tender new growth of one or more leaves.
First Leaf Unfolded
First leaves are completely unfolded from the bud on at least three branches. Leaves need to be opened completely (flat) and the leaf stem or base must be visible (you might need to bend the leaf backwards to see those).
Early Leaves Unfolding
Only a few leaves have unfolded from the buds (less than 5%).
Middle Leaves Unfolding
Half or more leaves have unfolded from the buds.
All Leaves Unfolded
All or most leaves are fully unfolded.
No Leaf Color Change
No leaves have changed color.
Early Leaf Color Change
Only a few leaves have changed color (less than 5%).
50 Percent Color
Half or more of the branches have leaves that have started to change color.
All Leaves Changed Color
All or most leaves have changed color.
No Leaves Dropped
No leaves have dropped.
Early Leaf Drop
Only a few leaves have dropped (less than 5%).
50 Percent Leaf Drop
Half or more of the leaves have fallen off the tree or shrub.
All Leaves Dropped
All or most leaves have dropped.
Find a Budburst Deciduous Tree and Shrub Species
Here are some examples of Deciduous Tree and Shrub species
Do your part for our planet. Join Budburst today.
Becoming a part of Budburst is easy—and important. When we all contribute to conservation efforts like this one, we’re one step closer to preserving the planet we share.
Get the App
Budburst is a project of the
Chicago Botanic Garden
One of the treasures of the
Forest Preserves of Cook County
Creative Commons
BY-NC-SA 4.0
