Please apply a consistent language for changes in SOS and EOS. Although the magnitude of the DOY values increase or decrease, from a phenological point of view the SOS dates advance or occur earlier while the dates for EOS retard or delay or occur later. In effect the growing season extends (GSL increases). In places, e.g. on page 8, you use the mathematical terms ‘decrease’ or ‘increase’ while on pages 10 and 12 you use the term ‘advancement’ or ‘advanced’. The phenological community must have standard terms for these changes? You will help potential users by adopting better and more consistent descriptive terms.

In one case (e.g top of page 10 and Figure 9), you describe a magnitude of SOC from MODIS exceeding 180 days. You highlight that obviously too-high value as a likely error, but give us no explanations? In figure 11 you only allow a max value for your LandSat-derived SOS of 160?

With reference to Section 4.5 on page 10, Figure 11 shows spatial patterns (e.g. 11a) but the temporal patterns (e.g. from P1 to P2 to P3) would only appear in 11b and, in any case, seem very weak at least in this presentation. Perhaps in Boston but not in the other four locations? One does not observe temporal trends in Figure 8 or Figure 10; if statistically-valid temporal trends exist you have not pointed them out? Therefore, where in the data would a user actually find the imagery to address these questions of advanced SOS or extended GSL? Give us an example?