Bel's Wood

 I have been taking standard photographs across the wood over the last 4 years. I am not always consistent but since Ceclia the Sessile Oak is a favourite spot to visit I have a good selection showing the different seasons and changes on the land. My friend took this photo of me when I have just taken responsibility for the land. I was measuring her girth to estimate her age. But yes I am a tree hugger now! The Woodland Trust publish this Ready Reckoner for aging oaks. It was developed in South East England so it is likely that it underestimates the age of a tree grown in the Cumbria. This table would say she is about 150 years old. I suspect 200 years is more likely as she is dropping branches like a mature oak tree does. I named her as she is a prominent tree and therefore useful for navigation. At the beginning I used to get disorientated in the wood and I would say to myself - oh yes I recognise that big old oak and there is another one etc. So giving individual trees names hel...

It started with one spray on one tree while the bluebells, cherry blossom, violets and wood sorrel were taking the limelight.       Looking across the valley the colours were greens of every shade but no white of the hawthorn or may tree signalling summer. The white that is there is the cherry blossom. Hawthorn is prolific in this landscape. It is a pioneer tree. It can take hold even in areas heavily grazed as these lands have been. Their thorns protect them to some extent and they are successful in South Cumbria. Then the other hawthorn trees started to show their colours too.    On closer examination the white and green shows itself to be pink, yellow and lime green forming the stamen. Everywhere I look is white and the smell is heavy in the air. Not sweet but thick and pollen laden. An old favourite hawthorn I call Agnes, sits at the top of the site and can be seen from most places in the south. She acts as a waymark when lost in gorse or bracken. Last ...