Task 3 for Schools: First Leaves - News and Discussion - European Phenology Campaign
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First of all, I would like to thank you for your e-mails with pictures and results and for all the contributions to the Discussion Forum. It is wonderful to see, how active you and your students are and how your trees look like and change.
In TASK 3 – First Leaves you will find a table with the date of leaf-unfolding that was predicted for your country (only dates for some trees and country are available). You can compare these dates with the date when you can see first leaves on your tree.
Please complete the task by April 20.
Task 3 – First Leaves
1) Keep observing the branch you selected
- Once you see a bud opening (= you can see the tip of green leaf), record “budburst” to your data sheet
- All 4 buds may not open at the same time
- Compare the date when you can see first leaves on your tree to the date of leaf-unfolding that was predicted for your country (only dates for some trees and country are available)
| | Netherlands | Croatia | Czech | Switzerland | Germany |
| Birch | Beginning of April (1) | Mid March | Mid April (19) | End of March | |
| Beech | End of April (26) | End of April | End of April (27) | Mid April | |
| Oak | Mid April (13) | Mid April | Beginning of May (1) | | End of April |
| Lime | | Beginning of April | End of April (29) | Beginning of April | |
| Hazel | | End of March | Mid April (18) | Mid March | |
| Cherry | | End of March | End of April (24) | | |
| Fig | | Beginning of March | | | |
2) Measure the length of a leaf that grows from the bud
- measure and record the length at least twice a week
- use a simple ruler to measure the length in mm
- measure the leaf without the stem
- continue measuring the leaf until it stops growing
- Share the photos here at Discussion forum.
- If you participate in the Collaboration group, don´t forget to compare your results with your partner school.
3) Take pictures regularly
4) Optional: Record temperature and precipitation
If you have an Atmosphere site nearby, keep recording temperature and precipitation data along with observing the leaves and see if there is any link.
And do not forget to continue taking pictures of your tree using GrowApp 
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