If The Trees Could Talk….
A tree’s lifespan…
Tree’s are remarkable, to think that some of our tallest, grandest specimens started life as a seed is truly incredible. When I look at trees I often wonder what they have bore witness to? Some specimens can live for hundreds of years, others for longer but whatever their lifespan they play an integral part in the creation and devlopment of our landscape which is seldom recognised by those of us going about our daily life. Consider for a moment what our environment would look like without trees and you begin to realise what we have.
Trees have character, be it the oldest oak,the tallest pine or the autumnal beauty of a maple their bodies twist and form into beautiful creations which offer life, shelter and food. A tree begins its life with the germination of a seed, its first leaves act as a food store for the delicate seedling utterly dependent on the energy of the sun’s rays to help it through to its next stage of development. Their life is far from easy, many seedlings fall foul of drought, storms, hungry animals or heavy footed humans and it is only when the first true leaves appear that a tree will begin its often rapid rise in growth. As the tree grows year on year it adds an internal ring to its trunk, visible only when felled it is nonetheless a remarkable method of determining its age and appreciating its life cycle and the environmental conditions it has endured along the way.
A tinly seedling will sprout roots which suck up water and life giving minerals from the soil and develop into strong, ground swelling arms which feed on the nutrients just below the soil’s surface. Look at any large tree and you will see that their root system is seldom deep prefering to spread itself across the ground where the leaves above can drip feed them nutrients and water whilst returning the favour from the rich top soil below.
The English countryside is made up of many types of woodland; oak, ash, beech, birch..all unique with plants, flowers and animals favouring one or the other. I hope to write more on tree varieties in the future and they home they offer to our wildlife but for now it’s enough to think of them as a collective in quiet appreciation.
I took a photo of this tree during a recent walk with my brother, it stood quite alone in the middle of a field where centuries old battles were won and lost. What I wonder has this tree seen? It was there long before me and it will stand long after I am gone despite what we have done to it along the way…
The Old Tree at Linwood Warren
Miles,
I often wonder exactly the same, you see a huge matriarchal tree right in the middle of an area steeped in history and just imagine what it’s seen.
Who has taken shelter or rest underneath it, whose carved their names into.
Very evocative in my opinion
Best
Rod
July 27, 2010 @ 8:54 am
Rod,
Thanks, it does make you think doesn’t it? Remember Prince Charles carving his name in that tree? Nice work Charlie.
Miles
July 27, 2010 @ 9:48 pm
Wonderful post! I’m never disappointed when I visit this blog, whether the subject is food, birds, wildlife or — now, trees! Great story, great photo. I’ve been out of town (and out of the blog loop), camping in Idaho so this post is perfect for my current draw to nature. In fact, I’m in the process (slowly) of doing a blog post on salmon, much along the lines you mention here. What would we do without trees — and in this case (my blog post), fish? It may take me a few more days to get the post put together, but we’re on the same wavelength with our thoughts, Miles. We need this connection to nature to truly thrive. Yes, I wonder what that tree has “seen” in its lifetime. Interesting thought.
Good one, Miles!
Melissa
July 28, 2010 @ 10:43 pm
Hi Melissa,
Hope you had a good trip. Look forward tyour post, did you like the owl photos? My favourites so far, beautiful creatures.
Welcome back
Miles
July 29, 2010 @ 2:16 pm
Miles,
Unbelievable! I am absolutely astonished at your skill at wildlife photography. I just went and found the owl photos. I missed those in my sporadic blog visiting (thanks for the tip-off). I am blown away. Those are SERIOUSLY National Geographic worthy shots. I love the idea that such beautiful birds have a safe haven in your “neck of the woods.” We are encroaching on wildlife habitat at such alarming rates that it’s tragic. What a treat for us to view such amazing creatures! Thank you, Miles.
WOW!
Melissa
July 29, 2010 @ 3:02 pm
Melissa,
Many thanks, really pleased you approve, it means a lot. Still a bit away from National Geographic I reckon but I live in hope
I love watching them but envy the variety you have in your neck of the woods.
Miles
July 29, 2010 @ 4:28 pm
Miles,
We walked in a wonderful mixed woodland this morning and said the very same things: if trees could talk what could they tell us? We looked in wonder and amazement at some of the specimen trees today.
I have to admit to my shame that my tree knowledge is very limited, despite of having grown up around woodlands and always loved them. Although I have a reasonable knowledge of plant names for some reason those of many trees tend to have eluded me.
I have some good reference books but find identification often difficult. I must take a pocket guide with me and seriously look at them.
Your post reminds me of my father’s favourite song about a woodland and the birds therein~~
Anne
July 29, 2010 @ 5:22 pm
Anne,
Sounds ideal, know what you mean about the identification, it’s not easy but then it’s not essential either. Care and respect means much more in my opinion.
Miles
July 29, 2010 @ 10:24 pm