Bel's Wood

This time last year we were experiencing drought conditions and the beck was at a standstill. I delayed planting for a year to try and get on top of the bracken. I’m not completely convinced that that worked but it means the trees went in the ground this January and there has been rain most days since then. Even on sunny days we have had a splash of rain overnight and everything has been growing well including the saplings. May 2024 and this dipper is loving the flowing water I am beginning to learn the 13 new species of trees planted. I am also learning the differences between species as to how quickly they grow and when they start.  The first away were the Spindle. These appeared above the tree guards rapidly and are easy to spot as they are planted in narrow bands along the butterfly rides and a few paths to give a bush sized plant before the big trees start.    Spindle April ‘24 Spindle June ’24 all above the tree guards and now in the sunshine  as the bracken ha...

Having missed the slow unfold of Spring this year due to my fractured ankle, I have spent lots of time at Bel's Wood enjoying summer emerging. It has been windy but the storms have passed and there has been a good mix of rain and sunshine so that the beck has plenty of water. Flowers are out in abundance     Heath bedstraw Thistle with a white tailed bumblebee                                             The fox gloves are grand this year      Water forget-me-knot growing in a boggy area Buttercup       Dog rose.                           Water mint growing in the boggy areas          An abundance of honeysuckle with two different varieties Broom It's bracken time of year again and not having been up there as much as last...