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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#bltrees pic.twitter.com/kfZoR23yek

Here’s my February photo for @BrianLehrer ‘s #BLTreesTaken 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

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

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

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

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

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