I was wondering what would make a tree flower before the leaves or after the leaves from one year to the next. I have plum and apple trees that have done this. I also have a weeping cherry and dogwood that have formed their leaves before flowering this year. Last year they got flowers before the leaves.
Weather patterns.....For the precocious bloomers, flower growth is faster than leaf growth at lower temperatures. The warmer the weather, the faster the leaf growth (relative to the flowers) resulting in more developed leaves when the flowers open.
Thanks so much for your answer. That makes perfect sense because we are having a much warmer Spring this year than last!
