Bel's Wood

 Right from when I first visited the wood I was taken by the elegant profile of this tree. I took so many photos and since it was autumn I didn't know what species it was. There were two large trees with the same lovely arching canopy side by side. There are some lovely older trees at Bel's Wood. There are 4 big oaks, 6 wild cherries and some very mature hazels. In spring I realised that these trees were Goat Willows. The pussy willow fed the queen bumblebees as they emerged from their hibernation in late February. The abundance of flowers provides pollen and nectar early in the season so that the queens can establish their nests and start the process of producing the next year's bumblebees. Once she has fed herself and collected pollen to create her nest and nectar to sustain her, she will remain under ground for the rest of the year and will die at the end of the summer leaving new queens to take her place the following year. I don't name all of the trees at Bel's...

Spring is a special time everywhere and having spent many hours at Bel’s Wood in the cold and dark days this winter, seeing the saplings sprouting, hearing bumblebees again and the wider range of birdsong in the lengthening days is a delight. One of the species of tree that I have introduced to Bel’s Wood is the Alder. I know Alder as a large old knurly tree. Last year the saplings become well established growing straight and tall and with side branches radiating evenly. Well, spring brought new delights with colour from fruit and flowers on these 2m high trees. Alder flowers The purple/ violet and yellow colours remind me of Regency Colours and came as a complete surprise to me and has made the tree a new favourite. The Willow trees have grown well and many of the saplings planted 2 years ago have produced pussy willow. Pussy willow on saplings September 2025 one of the tallest trees at the wood modelled by my friend Lisa This is particularly pleasing as I have lost one grand o...