Today is the summer solstice. Perhaps it is just a date on your calendar, but it is a signal occasion to temperate trees: the growing season has ended. From now until next spring, most trees are doing just one thing: preparing to avoid death due to cold. Look closely at the trees on your walks. I bet most of them have already set buds, in preparation for winter cold. A few fast-growing trees will continue growing their shoots for a while, but at the risk of early freeze.

Here is the thing to remember: most trees have finished growing before the end of June.

Photo of Magnolia macrophylla by Tom Kimmerer