Winter Woodlands

Apparently, we have just had the driest November in forty years. With the recent frosts nearly all of the leaves have now fallen, leaving the landscape looking wintry. However, many oaks are still holding on to their leaves. With the evenings drawing in very quickly, most of us are going to work and coming home in the dark. Only after the winter solstice on December 21st will the days gradually start becoming longer again. Colder weather is usually associated with this month, it brings many frosts, and even snow is possible. Animals that have not hibernated, such as the fox, have grown thicker coats to ward off the winter chills. Their winter coats have many white hairs in them to help make them less visible and blend into the landscape and help them hunt more efficiently.

Holly berries

With the cold weather, where the farmers have turned the ground over, the cold frosts kill off some of the parasites that would otherwise attack their crops. Many of the cattle have been brought in off the fields and will be fed inside throughout the winter. If the weather does become much colder the farmers will have to ensure that ice is broken on the animals troughs to allow them to drink and that salt licks are provided to give them extra minerals that will be lacking. This is a good time of the year to fill in any gaps in hedgerows to help secure livestock and it also allows wildlife to travel more safely under cover. Many birds can be seen or heard flying in flocks searching for food or you may see Blue Tits and Great Tits feeding at the bird table. Some of the wild animals have taken shelter from the cold weather like the bats roosting in rooftops and crevices in tunnels and old buildings. Whilst mice and voles may have moved into warmer residences like farm buildings and under sheds.

Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)

One of the most noticeable sights in the countryside is the abundance of Holly berries, I can't remember ever seeing so many before, for this time of year. At this time of year, many people will be buying themselves a Christmas tree one of the more unusual choices of conifers to pick is the Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). This tree can be very decorative with its green needles on its topside, white underneath and small cones. It was introduced to this country in 1852 by the great botanist David Douglas, who gave his name to the Douglas Fir. It is grown mainly in moist, sheltered sites and was first recorded growing wild in this country in 1959, where it had regenerated from seeds that had dropped naturally and not been planted. It originates from the western part of North America.

Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)

Another choice maybe Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis), which has become a widely planted tree in conifer woodlands because it grows quickly on most soils. It came here in 1832 and it is disease resistant and is rarely attacked by browsing animals because of its sharp needles. It derives its name from the Sitka Sound in Alaska where it is prolifically found growing in the wild. It has been used for making paper and boxes. Also, during the Second World War, its timber was used in the building of one of our lightest bomber aircraft known as the "Mosquito". The Sitka Spruce was first found growing wild over here in 1957.

Lawson's Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)

Conifers become far more noticeable at this time of year and another one to look out for is the Lawson's Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). The Lawson's Cypress grows on most soils, it is mainly found growing in suburban garden hedges but sometimes in woodland plantations. It arrived in this country in 1854 under strange circumstances. It came about when an enthusiastic Scottish botanist, John Jeffery disappeared in northern California. A search party went out to find him, but alas they never did, but instead a fellow botanist named William Murray discovered this tree instead. He brought back seeds to an Edinburgh seed firm named Messrs Lawson and the rest is botanical history. It was first found naturalised in this country in 1958.

Common Hair-moss (Polytrichum commune)

Much lower to the ground is the common moss named Common Hair-moss (Polytrichum commune). but this species can resemble a miniature conifer plantation when found covering large areas. This moss is found growing in wet acidic boggy areas often on wet heathland or in wet woodland. If the Common Hair-moss is found in its perfect growing conditions, a single plant can grow to the length of a foot or more, making it the largest moss to be found in this country. Because of its length and shape, it used to be collected and woven into small baskets used in flower decorations. It has also been used for making brooms, brushes and bedding.

Crottle (Parmelia saxatilis)

Another small plant often found growing on fence posts is the lichen known as Crottle (Parmelia saxatilis). Crottle in the Saxon times was used to dye cloths yellow and brown. At festive times, it was used to colour eggs a deep yellow colour. In the north it has been used for dying Salmon Flies many shades of brown for fly fishing and on other occasions for making flower decorations, especially around water wells - which is popular up in Derbyshire.

I will take this opportunity to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and I'll talk to you again in the New Year!