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Horse chestnut leaf miner moth

Horse chestnut leaf miner moth

by Chris, 24 June, 2011, 7 comments

The ‘progress’ of the horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella) has been reported in the blog from summer 2006 to more recently, when a national survey was under way.  This small, but highly efficient parasitic moth was first ‘discovered’ in trees bordering Lake Ohrid in Macedonia in the mid-Eighties.  It was later described as species new to Europe, and since that time has managed to spread through almost all of Europe. Read more...
Forestry Commision - the National Forest Inventory (NFI).

Forestry Commision – the National Forest Inventory (NFI).

by Lewis, 2 June, 2011, 2 comments

The Forestry Comission has just announced the first results of the National Forest Inventory (NFI); the NFI replaces the National Inventory of Woodlands and Trees (NIWT).  The 'woods and trees' inventory has been compiled (using various methods) since the 1920’s when there was considerable concern about the ‘stock’ of woodland and timber that could used in an ‘emergency’; e.g. when it was not possible to import timber from Europe or ‘The Empire’ as was the case during WW1. Read more...
Scots Pine, fire, and capercaillies.

Scots Pine, fire, and capercaillies.

by Lewis, 13 May, 2011, 3 comments

Scots pine and natural pine woodland has a wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere (it stretches from Scandinavia to southern Spain and from Scotland to Siberia).  It is home to a number of special species, like the capercaillie or wood grouse (the males are strongly territorial and engage in a distinctive mating display).  However, in some pine woodlands the structure and composition of the understory / shrub layer changes over time so that heather comes to dominate to the detriment of the blueberry (Vaccinium ssp). Read more...
Woody tissues : bark

Woody tissues : bark

by Chris, 28 April, 2011, 2 comments

Wood is such a familiar material that we tend to take it for granted.  In general, it is a long lasting, fibrous material that is found within the roots, stems and branches of trees and shrubs.  It is mainly composed of xylem – a tissue that brings water and minerals up from the roots and distributes the minerals and water to the leaves and growing tissues of the stem. Read more...
The National Forest

The National Forest

by Chris, 21 April, 2011, 2 comments

The Countryside Commission had the idea of creating a new ‘National Forest’ in 1987 – to give a tangible expression of the benefits of trees and woodlands.  It also has a practical role in terms of demonstrating the importance of carbon fixation (through photosynthesis) and the importance of this in the amelioration of climate change. The National Forest was and is a bold project, focusing on some 200 square miles of central England (parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire).  The area includes farmland and the relics of coalfields & mineral workings, with some pockets of ancient woodland – for example, Charnwood Forest to the east and Needwood Forest to the west. A map of the area of the National Forest can be seen here . Read more...
Phytophthora ramorum – a parasitic fungus to look out for

Phytophthora ramorum – a parasitic fungus to look out for

by Rob Starbuck, 17 April, 2011, 5 comments

Recently I wanted to find out more about Phytophthora ramorum so I went to a seminar that was organised by Natur  (The Welsh Institute for Countryside and Conservation Management) held in north Wales. Seminar on Phytophthora ramorum The seminar was specifically relevant for woodland owners, contractors and countryside workers. These groups are most likely to come into contact with this disease and therefore be well placed to identify it before it becomes established in a new location. There is also the danger that these groups could become vectors spreading the disease between sites. Read more...
The Fairytale Forest – a Source of Symbolism

The Fairytale Forest – a Source of Symbolism

by Justine, 24 March, 2011, 10 comments

Anyone embarking upon the journey of exploring forest symbolism finds themselves, perhaps like Little Red Riding Hood waving goodbye to her mother at the garden gate, on a vast voyage punctuated with the joys and dangers of the psyche, steeped in ancient myth and legend and infused with spiritual meaning. It is no accident that so many fairytale characters find themselves having to traverse danger-laden tracts of woodland. In a most practical sense, as the ancients dreamed up those stories and even when the oral traditions were finally written down in the middle ages and later, the lands of northern and western Europe were thick with woodland. The dangers were palpable: from rogues and bandits lying in wait for unsuspecting travellers to opportunistic wolves hungry for the kill. Read more...
Leaf variation - Holly (and Ivy).

Leaf variation – Holly (and Ivy).

by Lewis, 17 March, 2011, 5 comments

Holly leaves are prickly.   But the leaves of the lower twigs and branches are said to have more prickles than the those higher up the tree.   Ivy (Hedera) has lobed leaves but entire leaves can be found on the projecting branches (which bear flowers and fruits) – again often high up and in the light. The range in variation in any species can be considerable – thinking about holly, their leaves may vary in : The number of spines on a leaf The number of spines on each side of the leaf The length of the leaf (do longer leaves have more spines?) Read more...

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