We check in on our year-long project #BLTrees, following the seasons through the trees around us with Marielle Anzelone, urban botanist and ecologist and the founder of NYC Wildflower Week. This month, she's joined by Myla Aronson, professor in the Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources department at Rutgers University, director of the Hutcheson Memorial Forest, one of the last remaining old growth forests in New Jersey, and co-director of Urban Biodiversity Research Coordination Network (UrBioNet) to talk about the urban forests and the differences between planted trees and wild growth, and why that distinction matters.

February is month #4 of #BLtrees Here's my pin oak, braving the snow & cold in NYC this weekend. Local trees have evolved to deal with winter weather. How do they handle temperature swings btw 32-55F? Have you noticed any changes in your tree? Let us know using the hashtag 🌳🌳 https://t.co/59HNSTcdg3 pic.twitter.com/r8RmKLuiVB

— Marielle🌳Anzelone (@nycbotanist) February 15, 2022

This not my usual tree but another one nearby that became a visual delight in Sunday’s February snow. Post your February #BLTrees pic for today’s 11:40am conversation. BL pic.twitter.com/IV5uACB8R0

— The Brian Lehrer Show and A Daily Politics Podcast (@BrianLehrer) February 15, 2022

The birch outside my bedroom in Sunday’s snow. #BLTrees pic.twitter.com/DFFynKrDDV

— Jean Andrews (@gusmom1) February 15, 2022

#BLtrees my dogwood in spring pic.twitter.com/Zwu2zdjdCc

— Cass Collins (@delrivermuse) February 15, 2022

My tree fits in my hand. I have been working on this katate [hand size] sized bonsai for 20 years. It is a Catlin elm starting to spring into the season.#BLTrees pic.twitter.com/skndrxwhzX

— Captain Critical John E. Capobianco (@jecapobianco) February 15, 2022

Here’s my beloved backyard maple with her snowy coat on Sunday. She gives us shade and beauty all year round. #BLTrees pic.twitter.com/S49IjjK3U0

— #teamgoodtrouble (@quebella) February 15, 2022

#bltrees #inwoodhillpark pic.twitter.com/0wFbDRLhMU

— jimbo blachly (@BlachlyJimbo) February 15, 2022

In the Bronx from Rt 87 on Sunday. Just beautiful. #BLTrees pic.twitter.com/wm62Bg84nE

— suziethebaer (@sbaer) February 15, 2022

American elm in Fort Tryon park #bltrees pic.twitter.com/nsgETKqAir

— Richard Hollick (@rjhollick) February 15, 2022

#BLTrees a sketch of the view from my window in Jackson Heights pic.twitter.com/4QekkmhqSS

— Neil Landreville (@neilnyc) February 15, 2022

So cold here today but this Japanese maple is enjoying the sunshine #bltrees pic.twitter.com/vtbZxnxAms

— brenda arnowitz (@b_arnowitz) February 15, 2022

#bltrees My February photo of my maple. Little buds getting me excited for the coming spring. pic.twitter.com/ppfC9Ih30G

— Alisa (@alisabulger) February 15, 2022

⁦@BrianLehrer⁩ my #bltrees is my Kousa dogwood, beautiful in every season! pic.twitter.com/hgszAAQQGc

— Cass Collins (@delrivermuse) February 15, 2022

#bltrees pic.twitter.com/kfZoR23yek

— JC Rodriguez (@JCAugustin23) February 15, 2022

Here’s my February photo for @BrianLehrer ‘s #BLTrees
Taken on Saturday or there’d be some snow on it. Not all that different from the January photo except the leaf litter under the tree is looking thinner. pic.twitter.com/Ffp4sMkDum

— Alexander (@alexandertlane) February 15, 2022

#BLtrees - Month 4
(fully barren now, and looking scraggly) pic.twitter.com/CJkwzaPwRd

— Josh Weinberger (@kitson) February 15, 2022

Here is my Tulip Poplar for month #4 of #BLTrees. I love the background of the blue sky on this clear, crisp day. 🌳 pic.twitter.com/MlPJXcc1Vx

— Karen Piace (@piace27karen) February 15, 2022

My shadow and my tree! #BLTrees pic.twitter.com/YK6boG2XbT

— jerielle (@jerielle) February 15, 2022

View from Oak Bridge- Central Park. #BLTrees pic.twitter.com/xhmpXdPllT

— HPNY KNITS (@hpnyknits) February 15, 2022

February trees Central NJ #bltrees pic.twitter.com/qkp5ff1OpW

— Tamar Kieval Brill (@TamarMKB) February 15, 2022