Meteorological winter has begun. Rather appropriately Autumn turned wintery yesterday as we had a very cold and frosty start to the morning. Apparently it was the coldest night since February.
National tree week ends today too. Started by the Tree Council in 1975 it’s a time to focus on the importance of tree planting along with celebrate these amazing plants. The week coincides with the best time of year to plant trees. This time round there has been a specific emphasis on promoting the usefulness of trees in combating climate change (by pollution and carbon dioxide absorption).
I have planted many trees in the past, however last week the main job continued to be leaf collection.
While most trees shed leaves consistently over a period of time, in my experience, leaf drop of English/ Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) and European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) tends to occur in one go at the end of Autumn. This has certainly been true this year, as we collected huge amounts of leaves from large Oak and Beech trees in many gardens; their beautiful rich autumnal colours like carpets on the ground.
Both these deciduous trees are from the Fagaceae family which explains their similarities. Both grow to great heights, have dense canopies and can exhibit marcescence (where some dead leaves are retained on the trees throughout winter).
Both trees are great for wildlife too. Beech nuts are eaten by Deer, Badgers (Meles meles), Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), Mice, Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) and Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla). Even the foliage is food for caterpillars of several species of moth like the Barred hook-tip (Drepana cultraria) and Olive crescent (Trisateles emortualis). Beech trees create a vital habitat for butterflies along woodland edges as well; including Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) and Gatekeepers (Pyronia tithonus). Plus ectomycorrhizal truffle fungi grow beneath them. Turned into hedges, Beech can also create a habitat for birds.
As with the European Beech, the Pedunculate Oak supports a variety of fungi, animals, birds- particularly Jays (Garrulus glandarius) and insects such as Stag beetles (Lucanus cervus)
and the Purple hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) and Purple emperor (Apatura iris) butterflies. In fact of all the native British trees the Pedunculate Oak supports more wildlife than any other tree. Even its leaf litter and dead wood is full of life. I love these wonderful trees, especially ancient oaks. I enjoy thinking of all the hidden life existing alongside me as I work in the gardens. Also they are wonderful trees to hug. 🌳🤗
Bee in the Moment 