Spring Trees

Is anyone walking around with their nose in the air this time of year? Anyone? It’s just me? In the spring, it’s not unusual to find me gazing rapturously up at a tree in full bloom, sniffing like a basset hound. I can’t help myself! It’s so magical. Apple, cherry and magnolia trees are laden with sweet-smelling blooms in my very favourite hues. The bloom lasts for such a short period, making it that much more special.

Can you believe that I live on the island of Montreal and this is the view from my back deck??

Spring is the time that trees put on a stunning show in my part of the world. I’ve never been so lucky as to experience the cherry blossoms in Japan or DC, but based on how gorgeous our trees are in Montreal, I can only imagine how stunning they must be.

I love spotting the pops of cheerful pink and deeper red dotting the streets around my house.

It’s all so fleeting. My neighbour across the street has a gorgeous pink saucer magnolia tree. Every year, a steady stream of passersby stops to take pictures. I can remember sitting on the front steps the spring before we moved in and just marvelling at its beauty. We had bought the house without knowing what delights await us every spring.

But their pink magnolia is more of a feast for the eyes than for the nose. I don’t love the scent – it is too heady. Luckily it is quite faint.

The white star magnolia on the street behind us is a totally different story. I don’t find its white, sort of spindly blooms to be nearly as beautiful. But the aroma! It is so fragrant that it spreads its light, sweet scent for a two-block radius. Heaven!

I don’t remember seeing magnolias growing up. I read about them in Gone with the Wind and always associated them with the Southern US. But in fact, they are native to North and Central America and Asia, and grow well across the US and Canada. There are many different varieties – some of them are even evergreen! Eight species are native to the US.

Believed to be one of the oldest flowering plants, magnolias are literally one hundred million years old – they were around before bees! If only their blooms lasted longer. They don’t love the heat when they are blooming. I think my neighbours almost view them as more of a nuisance, since they drop their waxy petals about a week after they open.

The amazing scent of lilac has to be one of my favourite aromas. It actually reminds me of childhood. Is there anything more magical than falling asleep with the scent of lilacs wafting in the window? I have not had success with lilacs in my spring garden. I bought two the year I started my garden and they have hardly bloomed since. I think that I bought bushes rather than trees. Luckily, I can rely on another neighbour for the most amazing lilac show each spring. Can you imagine the fragrance every time I open my back door?

Lilacs are actually a member of the olive family. Native to the Balkans, lilac has been naturalized to Europe, Asia and North America. In my own, very scientific experiment with my neighbour’s trees, I’ve determined that the common lilac is the most fragrant.

And lastly we have apple blossoms!I had always thought that the different colored apple tree blossoms were related to different species. But apparently they change colour over time – opening deep pink and fading to white. I can’t decide which colour I like best! I love their light, fresh scent. Their aroma is so sweet and yet so delicate.

This year, I noticed a sublime white flowering tree. Google tells me it might be a plum or pear tree. Whatever it is, it is gorgeous.

Springtime in Montreal is such a gift, a true feast for the senses. What delights does spring hold where you live? What is your favourite spring flowering tree?