Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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The Alaskan Greenup. In Fairbanks, Alaska, spring has a dramatic arrival called 'greenup.' Mostly Aspin and Birch, the dominant trees in the area, Put their leaves out in a rapid burst, almost overnight. Observing a tree at 8 AM, and again at 6 PM, would reveal its rapid growth. Shadier areas take longer, but most trees go from bare To leaf in a shocking 24 to 48 hours. Fairbanks is exactly at the northern edge of tree growth-- Fewer than 200 miles below the Arctic Circle. Winters are cold and dark and few species of tree grow there. Trees growing further south have seven months to absorb sunlight, But in Fairbanks it may be as few as four. These trees have evolved to immediately take advantage of the growing season. Fairbanks gets over 18 hours of daylight, which aids plant growth. The unpredictable part is when the ground will thaw, Allowing the roots to be able to pull up water, Making it into sap, going out to every branch. Winter is long for people and trees--a big moment for all living in the area. The inhabitants of this area call 'greenup' a seasonal holiday. . Frank Maurer 18 May 2026 1815 Hours.