Redbuds

Tucked beneath taller trees they tilt and twist out and up toward the sun.  Their namesake buds burst open in mid-April and if the weather cooperates endure into May. 

Four years ago a large redbud on the trail I walk blew over in an early spring storm. Its buds, already out, formed a wall of pink from the ground up.  A tendril of root remained anchored to the ground.  Each year fewer buds push out.  This year on branches sprouting from the downed trunk only a splatter of color paint the dark border of the woods where the redbud fell.    

Above: The redbud just after it fell.

Below: The same redbud this year.