You may have seen doom-laden stories in the press recently about “oak decline” (or “oak dieback”) -  “the mighty oak battles for survival”. The situation is probably not as serious as reported, but it is a fascinating story. Read more...

A cruck frame is one where the structure of the building depends on two or more 'A-frames' which go from the top of the building down to the ground.  These frames are usually constructed of curved timbers (the cruck blades) using the natural shape of a tree and in many cases the tree is sliced long-ways down the middle so that whatever the shape of the curve the two sides are symmetrical.  The two beams are joined together at the top by a 'collar' or tie-beam. Cruck barns probably evolved in Anglo Saxon times and the earliest archaeological evidence comes from 4th century excavations in Buckinghamshire, but this building technique really came into its own in medieval times. Large halls were built in towns and villages and a large cruck barn also became a sign of an individual farm's prosperity. The barns could be easily divided into sections or bays and threshing would have been done indoors. Read more...

The Turkey Oak (or Quercus cerris) is is a fast growing, tough tree; capable of surviving exposure in coastal regions. It was introduced as an ornamental tree into the UK in the eighteenth century,  being native to south east France across to the Balkans and Turkey.   It often has a long straight trunk (or bole), with branches that are somewhat more slender than those seen on English oaks. The leaves are distinctive and different from those of the native oaks (sessile or pedunculate). Whereas the leaf of the latter is quite broad, the leaf of the Turkey Oak is quite narrow and more ‘angular’ (see featured image);  it is also hairy or downy on its lower surface. One of the tree’s distinctive features is the bark, which has orange fissures near to the base of the trunk. Unfortunately, its timber is of little use as it splits and warps during seasoning. [caption id="attachment_37670" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Turkey oak bark[/caption] The Turkey Oak is considered by some to be a "weed species or pest species" because: it is fast growing it will hybridise with the English oak. it is a host to the Knopper Gall wasp Acorns form and mature some 18 months after pollination and are quite large. They may be an orange / brown at the base,  to a green-brown at the tip. The acorn 'cup' is 'hairy' (see image). The galls that form on the tree are abnormal growths.These galls are caused, in this case, by the development of wasp eggs within the plant’s tissues. The wasp (Andricus quercuscalicis) lays eggs in the catkins of the Turkey Oak, these hatch and develop into wasps which in turn lay their eggs in the flowers of the pedunculate oak. The acorns that form are grossly mis-shapen – and are called Knopper Galls. [caption id="attachment_40042" align="alignleft" width="150"] Gall[/caption] [caption id="attachment_40046" align="alignright" width="150"] Gall[/caption]       In some areas there are now systematic attempts to remove Turkey Oak and other non-native species from woodlands and forests.  

The oak has long been regarded as the King of the Forest and emblematic of the UK.  It is the largest of our native, broad-leaved trees.  There are two native species of oak; the sessile oak (Quercus petraea) and the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur).  Oaks belong to the beech family, Fagaceae. Read more...

The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is found throughout England, Wales and parts of Scotland. It was introduced between 1876 and 1930 from the States/Canada, probably on a number of occasions. In many parts of the UK they have displaced the native Red Squirrel. Grey squirrels eat an amazing variety of food – bark, buds, flowers, nuts, berries, seeds and fruit from many different species of shrubs and trees (and therein lies the problem). Read more...

Dead and decaying wood forms an important part of any tree or woodland. In the past, dead branches and trees in woodland might have been taken for a sign of neglect or a poorly managed wood; it was regarded as a possible source of disease or ‘rubbish’ that needed to be tidied away. However, dead wood, whether it is part of a living tree or lying on the woodland floor, should be regarded as a resource that contributes to the diversity of the flora and fauna. As wood decays, it offers a series of different microhabitats. It has been estimated that dead and decaying wood can offer a home to some 1800 species. Read more...