A Synopsis of the Poem It has yellow leaves and seeds that have fallen to the green ground. The tree is motionless, but only for a minute. A goldfinch soon flies to it and settles on a branch. The entire tree comes to life with additional chirrups, chitterings, and vibrations as soon as it chirps. These signals are messages passing between the two animals: the seed has been planted, and it will grow into a tree. Laburnums are deciduous trees native to Europe and northern Africa. They are among the first plants to color up after winter and often serve as an indicator of spring's approach. When in bloom, the laburnum looks like a golden chain hanging from the sky. Their small white flowers appear before their green leaves in early summer. After pollination, the fruit grows within a pod-like structure called a strobile. Each pod contains 20 to 50 brown seeds that are attached to a thin thread like a necklace for easy dispersal by the wind or water. Some seeds remain viable for several years so there can be new generations of laburnums even after the original plant is gone. People have always loved laburnums for their beautiful flowers and graceful shape. In Victorian England, they were popular enough for artists to paint pictures of them. Today, laburnums are still used in flower arrangements because of their long lasting beauty.