Blog - Flora & Fauna

Honey Fungus

by Chris, 14 November, 2008, 1 comments

The honey fungus (Armillaria) is one of the most widespread pathogens, and is found across the globe. There are a number of related species of Armillaria that parasitise the roots and trunks of a wide variety of trees; they can also feed saprophytically on the dead remains of the trees. Such dead stumps and infected tissues may act as a base for further infection. In forests and woodlands, it has been suggested that the presence of other fungi diminish or restrain the pathogenicity (killing power) of the honey fungus, though in gardens it may spread unchecked from one tree or shrub to another. Read more...

Trees and Roots

Trees and Roots

by Chris, 1 November, 2008, 6 comments

Normally, the first structure to emerge from a seed is the embryonic root - the radicle. This grows downwards (in search of water and nutrients) as the primary or tap root. In most plants, this primary root will develop secondary or lateral roots that grow out away from the main root, as the seedling grows. The growth of any root is dependent on a small ball of dividing cells just behind the root tip. This collection of cells is called a meristem; it generates new cells to extend the root and form new root tissues (such as the xylem and phloem – the conducting tissues). Read more...

Bats in the Woods - Bat surveys

Bats in the Woods – Bat surveys

by catherine, 1 November, 2008, 3 comments

Now that the weather has turned colder, most bats will have found their spot to hibernate for the winter. November is a good time to carry out a bat survey of your wood, when the leaves have dropped from the trees and it’s easier to see possible bat roosts. Read more...

Badger Watching for Beginners

Badger Watching for Beginners

by David Plummer, 17 October, 2008, 10 comments

It is evening, about 7pm and still light. A lone robin sings from the understorey and the repeated notes of a song thrush call from the distance. I am sitting in a woodland looking at a huge mound of earth and I feel a bit of lemon really. It is normally at this time that I sometimes have my doubts as it seems improbable that Britain’s most easily recognised and iconic mammal, renowned for being shy and nocturnal, will emerge from the safety of its home in daylight and within just a few metres of where I am sitting. Read more...

Wet Woodland - Carr

Wet Woodland – Carr

by catherine, 17 October, 2008, 2 comments

No-one likes getting their feet damp, but wet woodland has its place and is certainly valuable from the perspective of diversifying habitat. Read more...

great tit

Feed The Birds?

by Chris, 10 October, 2008, 1 comments

Whilst it always good to see wildlife in a natural setting, such as a woodland, it is also good to encourage wildlife in our gardens. The woodland blog last year listed some of the strategies that might encourage insects and invertebrates in our gardens. It is also possible to encourage birds into our gardens, just as Catherine wrote about managing woodlands for birds. Many ‘everyday’ urban species of bird populations have declined in recent times: house sparrows by approximately 60% and starlings perhaps by 75%. Read more...

Deadwood

by catherine, 10 October, 2008, 2 comments

Traditionally woodland was kept “clean” by clearing away fallen timber. However, nowadays it is recognised that deadwood has an important part to play in forest management. Deadwood was removed to prevent the transfer of disease and pests – a mistaken belief as it happens, for almost all species which inhabit deadwood are specific to that habitat (“saproxylic”) and will not inhabit living wood. Now deadwood is recognised as an essential part of the forest ecosystem. Read more...

“Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees” by Roger Deakin - a review

“Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees” by Roger Deakin – a review

by Angus, 3 October, 2008, 4 comments

Roger Deakin’s book is an inspiring read for any small woodland owner – really a series of chatty stories about individual topics peppered with interesting snippets on tress, wood, botany, natural history and rural life. Read more...

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