The season of "新緑 Shinryoku"

There is a Japanese word “新緑 Shinryoku” which means "fresh verdure of spring".  

Shinryoku emerges between late March and mid-April to show the fresh green color.
The very young leaves are light in color before becoming bright green soon.

Nara Park, April 9th

The newly born leaves of Japanese Maple are so cute.  

They are translucent light green and make a good contrast to its tiny red flowers.

March 30th

 They start off so small but grow into emerald green young-adults soon.

April 27th

Sprinkled with water of April rain, moss and lichens start shining with a fresh verdure 
while cherry blossoms are falling and fading in colors..

As you see the massive tree trunk and roots above, there are many gigantic trees in Nara Park.

Camphor trees produce bright green foliage with masses of small white flowers, and then shed old leaves.

These children are having lunch embraced in a camphor tree.
They spread their sheets on the fallen leaves in the shade of the tree.

School excursion

Ginkgo tree holds a large lacy parasol with its mighty long and thick arms.
The sun flickers through leaves.

April 27th

While brilliant saffron yellow in autumn is breathtaking,
the glinting tiny young leaves of spring are so refreshing.

I really like the young leaves of Tosa-mizuki (Corylopsis spicata), or Spike winter hazel in English, 

and Hyuga-mizuki (Corylopsis pauciflora), or Buttercup winter hazel.

Both of them produce new leaves right after flowers.

The leaves are ovate with an acute apex and a serrated margin and have distinct sunken veins.

Aren't they charming?

New leaves and fruits/seeds of Tosa-mizuki at the Mt. Rokko

Hyuga-mizuki

 At this time of Shinryoku, we have Golden Week holidays from April 29th.

Many people spring into mountains, woods, or parks to bathe in greenery

which is good for both mind and body.

The new leaves grow rapidly to hide the view over there 

where we can see through when the trees are bare in winter.

Soon trees will get thick with leaves.

Baby leaves of weeping willows

This post is linked to Our World Tuesday.