Which trees bloom first in Ukraine?

I look forward every year to that moment when nature begins to awaken after winter. The first flowers, fresh air, and – most importantly – the first trees that bloom. They are like the bells of spring, announcing: “It’s time to come out of the house, life begins anew!” The blooming of trees is not just beauty. It is a special spring poetry that has its own rhythm and order. And if you observe nature closely, you can catch which trees awaken first.

The blooming of trees is a process related to air temperature, daylight length, moisture levels, and the biological characteristics of each plant. Trees do not have a calendar, but they certainly feel when their time has come. Some bloom as soon as the sun warms up – even when the ground has not completely thawed. Others wait for stable warmth. Depending on the region of Ukraine, the timing of blooming can vary slightly: for example, in the south, trees bloom a week or two earlier than in the north.

And now – my personal list of trees that bloom first in Ukraine. This is a kind of spring calendar that I keep in my memory every year.

1. Hazel (hazelnut)

 🌸 Blooming: late February – early March

This is one of the first trees to awaken after winter. But its bloom is very inconspicuous to the average passerby. Long catkins appear on the hazel – male flowers that resemble yellow-green ring-like catkins. They sway gently in the wind, dispersing pollen. Blooming occurs even before the leaves appear. By the way, this is the very pollen that can cause allergies in spring.

2. Alder (black or gray)

 🌸 Blooming: March

 Like hazel, alder blooms before the leaves appear. Its catkins also serve as pollen distributors, so the trees look a bit strange – bare branches with catkins. You can still see small "cones" on the alder – remnants of female flowers from the previous season. Alder loves wet places, so it can be found near rivers and swamps.

3. Sugar Maple (common urban maple)

 🌸 Blooming: late March – early April

Its blooming is unmistakable – the tree seems to explode with tiny yellowish-green flowers that create the impression of "golden dust" on the branches. Interestingly, the bloom appears before the leaves, making the maple very noticeable among the still barely green landscapes.

4. Apricot (wild or garden)

 🌸 Blooming: late March – early April (earlier in the south)

This tree is a true symbol of early spring in southern Ukraine. The apricot blooms profusely, sometimes simply covering all branches with white "snow." Its delicate flowers with a pink hue appear even before the leaves. But there is one problem: apricot often suffers from spring frosts, so it does not yield a bountiful harvest every year.

5. Bird Cherry (wild cherry)

 🌸 Blooming: April

The scent of bird cherry is a whole spring aura. Its small white flowers are gathered in elongated clusters. Often, it becomes a symbol of "true spring." Its blooming is accompanied by an explosion of fragrances in the air. People even say: "When the bird cherry blooms – expect a cold snap."

6. Willow (white, goat)

 🌸 Blooming: March-April

Probably the most famous tree of spring Ukraine, especially in connection with Palm Sunday. Its fluffy "kittens" are male catkins that appear on bare branches. Initially silvery, they then take on a golden hue when covered with pollen. The willow is not only a symbol of spring but also one of the most "poetic" trees in our culture.

7. Plum, cherry, cherry plum, peach (fruit trees)

 🌸 Blooming: April

After the apricot, other fruit trees bloom en masse in Ukraine. This moment I particularly enjoy: the whole village or city is covered with white-pink clouds of blossoms. This is a true explosion of spring when everyone wants to go outside, take photos, or just stand under a tree buzzing with bees and warmth.

The blooming of trees is not only aesthetics but also a hint: when to sow, when to prune branches, when to expect allergies or pollen in the air. It is also a sign of climate change – because if the apricot starts blooming in February, we no longer have the usual spring.

And also – it is true happiness. To see how a bare branch suddenly comes to life with a flower. How after a long winter, nature says: “I am still here. And I am alive.”

The blooming of trees is like the first lines of a spring poem. And each tree writes its own stanza.