Oak before ash

I was brought up with the old rhyme "Oak before the ash, in for a splash, ash before oak, in for a soak". But nowadays, thanks to the effect of climate change, the oak is virtually always in leaf before the ash, as it responds to higher spring temperature, while the ash is thought to respond more strongly to sunshine hours. Back in the 18th century, ash used to have a better chance of beating oak as springs were very different.


This particular oak is that glorious shade of fresh yellow-green that epitomises spring - unfortunately the weather felt far more like mid-winter, with a hand-numbing northerly wind. I didn't stay out long...