Tamarack

One or more breaking needle buds are visible (green needle tip is visible at the end of the bud). This is before the first needle has unfolded and spread away from the stem. Photo JAS.

One or more live, unfolded needles (spread away at an angle from the developing stem enough that its point of attachment to the stem is visible) . In tamarack, clusters of needles emerge from one bud and are 1/2-1” long at maturity. Photo JAS.

One or more needles show yellow or brown due to seasonal changes, drought or other stresses. Photo JAS.

One or more unripe, female seed cones are visible, which are green, dark red, purplish or brown with scales closed together. Photo JAS.

One or more ripe, female seed cones (yellow-brown or brown and the scales have begun to spread apart to expose the seeds inside). Photo JAS.

One or more fresh, male pollen cones (strobili) are visible. Cones have overlapping scales that are initially lightly closed, then spread apart to open the cone and release pollen. Photo JAS.

One or more open, fresh, male pollen cones (strobili) are visible, which have spread apart to release pollen. Photo TK.