Blog - Trees

A Glossary of Tree Terms by The Royal Forestry Society

A Glossary of Tree Terms by The Royal Forestry Society

by catherine, 28 November, 2008, 0 comments

A new and very useful publication is now available from the Royal Forestry Society. “A Glossary of Tree Terms” is an essential reference guide to the terminology of forestry and woodland management, from “acidification” to “yield class”. Read more...

Mast and Mast Years

Mast and Mast Years

by Chris, 28 November, 2008, 5 comments

Mast is the ‘nut crop’ of the beech tree (Fagus sylvatica), but, in a broader sense, is the production of an enormous number of seeds. And the phenomenon is not restricted to beeches.It can also been seen in oaks, firs, spruces and pines.Such species are said to have ‘mast years’ and in such years it is basically impossible for animals to eat all the seeds ("predator satiation") so many seeds survive to the following spring and germinate. Read more...

Wood Fuel

by Mike Pepler, 14 November, 2008, 26 comments

Mike Pepler works for the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy and also owns some woodland near Rye, East Sussex, which he manages with his wife Tracy. Using wood for heating According to government figures (from BERR), heating buildings and water uses about one third of all energy (including transport) in the UK. Much of this energy is supplied by fossil fuels, and so is resulting in large amounts of carbon dioxide being emitted, contributing to climate change. Read more...

Trees and Roots

Trees and Roots

by Chris, 1 November, 2008, 6 comments

Normally, the first structure to emerge from a seed is the embryonic root - the radicle. This grows downwards (in search of water and nutrients) as the primary or tap root. In most plants, this primary root will develop secondary or lateral roots that grow out away from the main root, as the seedling grows. The growth of any root is dependent on a small ball of dividing cells just behind the root tip. This collection of cells is called a meristem; it generates new cells to extend the root and form new root tissues (such as the xylem and phloem – the conducting tissues). Read more...

Wet Woodland - Carr

Wet Woodland – Carr

by catherine, 17 October, 2008, 2 comments

No-one likes getting their feet damp, but wet woodland has its place and is certainly valuable from the perspective of diversifying habitat. Read more...

Deadwood

by catherine, 10 October, 2008, 2 comments

Traditionally woodland was kept “clean” by clearing away fallen timber. However, nowadays it is recognised that deadwood has an important part to play in forest management. Deadwood was removed to prevent the transfer of disease and pests – a mistaken belief as it happens, for almost all species which inhabit deadwood are specific to that habitat (“saproxylic”) and will not inhabit living wood. Now deadwood is recognised as an essential part of the forest ecosystem. Read more...

“Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees” by Roger Deakin - a review

“Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees” by Roger Deakin – a review

by Angus, 3 October, 2008, 4 comments

Roger Deakin’s book is an inspiring read for any small woodland owner – really a series of chatty stories about individual topics peppered with interesting snippets on tress, wood, botany, natural history and rural life. Read more...

Galls and Oaks

Galls and Oaks

by Chris, 19 September, 2008, 2 comments

Not only do oak trees form part of our landscape but they also support an enormous range of organisms. Birds may make their nests in the canopy, spiders spin their webs in the twigs, squirrels gather the acorns, and many insects devour the leaves. However, some insects make a home in the tissues of the trees and create new structures; these are called plant galls. Read more...

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