The ultimate goal of Project BudBurst is to have you observe the first day of the appropriate phenological event for your plant (e.g. first flower or budburst). You can use your Plant Identification Guide to help you determine the phenophase(s) for your plant.
Please remember that the list below does not necessarily reflect the chronological event order for all plant species.
Budburst/First Leaf: Report the date at which the first leaves are completely unfolded from the bud. For trees or large shrubs you will want to make sure there are at least three places on the tree or shrub where budburst has occurred. The leaves need to be opened completely and the leaf stem or leaf base must be visible (you might need to bend the new leaf backwards in order to see those). For conifers record when the new needles have expanded beyond the length of the bud scales.
Full Leaf:Report the date when nearly all (at least 95%) of the growing leaf buds have already reached the completely unfolded stage described above (Budburst/First Leaf). For conifers record when the needles first reach the length of the other mature needles.
First Flower: Report the date at which the first flowers are completely open. You must be able to see the stamens among the unfolded petals. For herbs (non-woody plants), look for the date when the first flowers of one patch are blooming. For trees or large shrubs you will want to make sure there are blooms on at least three places on the tree or shrub. In case of Hazel, Alder or Pine trees (or other conifers), look for the date when they start releasing the powdery, yellow pollen from their cones or catkins (cone-like flower clusters).
Full Flower: Report the date when 50% of the flowers are fully opened. Note that some trees and shrubs, especially in southern areas never reach full flowering (never have 50% of flowers open at one time). For these plants just record first flower and last flower. For conifers record when 50% of the branches (with cones) have pollen.
End Flower: Report the date when at least 95% of the flowers have withered, dried up, or died. For conifers record when 95% of the branches with male cones no longer are dispersing pollen.
Seed or Fruit Dispersal: Report the date when you notice the first fruits or seeds dropping naturally from the plant. For conifers record when the cones turn brown and the scales expand (seeds should start dispersing shortly thereafter).