Tulip Poplar Leaf Bud

One of the best nectar plants in this area for bees is the very common tulip poplar [Indiana's state tree].   I noticed the leaf buds coming on fast last weekend. 

These are not dainty buds.  Each one is at least the size of your thumb.   The flowers, when opened, are the size of large teacups.   The squirrels around here love them.

Beech Leaf Buds

The beech leaves will be coming on soon.  The old coppery leaves of younger beech trees stay on long into the winter.  Then one day in early spring, the leaves turn ghostly white and start to fall.   Within a few short weeks, coppery needles form at the end of every twig.   Those are this year's new leaves.