First Signs

First signs of a real spring in New England. This is a red maple, one of our first trees to flower, just starting to leaf out. Who knew that the red maple (Acer rubrum) is also known as scarlet maple, swamp maple, soft maple, Carolina red maple, Drummond red maple, and water maple...whew....why ever does it have so many names? I love the change of seasons in New England and this budding tree holds the promise of warmer days and reminds me of how much I enjoy long afternoons just being outside in shorts and a T-shirt!