Close to Arbor Day my mind goes to an old farmer’s sage prognosis:

If the oak is out before the ash

’Twill be a summer of wet and splash

If the ash is out before the oak

‘Twill be a summer of fire and smoke.

This retired farm boy living in this Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway community is saying we are in for a wet summer, because the Oaks have leaves on them, they may be little leaves! The Ash, however, have buds only open enough to recognize the compound leaf structure inside.

Make your own observation on your end of the Byway and let me know if you see something different!