My name is Katy and I have been in childcare all my working life.   I qualified as a Nursery Nurse in 1986, working in inner city State Nursery schools in St Anns, Nottingham; before becoming a home based childminder in 2005. Although homebased, we are outside every day with trips to country parks, the canal and woods.  When I was a little girl, I remember my parents talking to me at length about trees, wildlife and flowers. I was always outside, collecting conkers, climbing trees and planting acorns and so I grew up with an interest in nature. I passed this on to my own children and am now passing it on to my child-minding children. I regularly meet folk who cannot tell an Ash tree from a Beech Tree, or do not know what a conker or sweet chestnut will grow into.   One little girl at my setting, aged 5, who had just started school was doing an observational painting when she said to me, “my teacher doesn’t call them daffodils Katy, she calls them flowers”    : (  It is so important for children to learn about nature, a flower is not just a flower, the same as a tree is not just a tree. Trees have different bark, leaves, branch structure, each playing a specific role in the ecosystem. Learning these facts fosters a personal connection and encourages children to care for and protect the environment. Tree, plant and animal identification improves observational skills, memory retention and an understanding of biodiversity. Because of my love for nature and my job, I have just bought a wood with my childminding colleague and friend, Caroline. It was called Ruddock wood.  [Cotgrave, near Nottingham, Nottinghamshire].  Ruddock is an archaic British term for Robin Redbreast, so we renamed it Robin wood.   In Sept 2026 ,we will both be changing from home-based childminders to forest childminders, working in the wood with our eight charges aged 3 months to 4 years from early morning to evening four days a week, throughout the year.   It is this full forest experience, using the forest school ethos, where children are immersed in nature-based play, that results in the child being deeply engaged and involved, empowering them to explore their surroundings with curiosity, critical thinking and independence.  It allows them to be physically active, using their whole bodies, they take risks, which in turn promotes resilience, creativity and develops social skills, this improves their mental health and emotional well-being. In Robin wood, the children are learning all the time, from tree identification, they understand what a beech husk is and search for beechnuts, they know acorns grow into oak trees and regularly use the word nocturnal when talking about night animals. Other skills normally not associated with preschool children include, whittling wood, sawing logs using hacksaws and bowsaws, they hammer nails into their sawn offcuts and use flints and steels to start fires, cooking lunch from scratch. We aim to educate people on the benefits of outdoor learning to ensure our young people grow up as well-rounded individuals with a passion for the outdoors. Contact on 07817 972321 Woodlands.co.uk are the proud sponsors of The Young Lives Foundation (YLF) for 2026 The Young Lives Foundation (charity no: 1119528) is an award-winning independent children’s charity in Kent supporting young people to thrive through effective advocacy, mentoring and youth programmes, including through woodlands based initiatives.

“Every tree is held up by its own history, the very bones of its ancestors…Jake has gained a new awareness of how her life is being held up by unseen layers, girded by lives that came before her own. And by a series of crimes and miracles, accidents and choices, sacrifices and mistakes, all of which have landed her in this particular body and delivered her to this day”.  And so, we find ourself as reader, embroiled in the history of several generations of the Greenwood family, as we trace their mixed fortunes from the great depression through to a dystopian future of a ruined planet and the corporate greed that has destroyed it.  The theme of this book and the reason why it has been reviewed here is the connection to trees, woodland and forestry which runs through the narrative. The dependence on trees manifests itself in the chosen professions of each generation of the Greenwood family. From small landowner and wood cutter; to business tycoon, environmental campaigner, carpenter and research scientist. The woodland theme is ever present and is sure to engage those who have an interest in trees and their changing role in our world over time. I don’t propose to give away the details of the story here but suffice to say that I found it interesting enough to keep me looking forward to the next instalment as an unchallenging bedtime read. In this sense it accomplishes its principle aim as a novel in engaging the reader but whether it succeeds any further in providing either historical insight or poignant social comment on the environment, will be up to others to make their own judgement. “What are families other than fictions? Stories told about a particular cluster of people for a particular reason? And like all stories, families are not born, they’re invented, pieced together from love and lies and nothing else. And through these messy means, so too might this poor, destitute child become -for good and for ill- a Greenwood.” Greenwood is frequently sentimental and at times outright mawkish and not quite artful enough to convey any real depth of emotion, especially with regard to parenthood, death and particularly so with trees. I also felt there was a limited success in the treatment of the great depression and the effect this had on the places that we are taken to on our journey across the impoverished Canadian landscape of the early twentieth century. There was a missed opportunity here for greater descriptive flair with the writing, to fully evoke the abject misery of a brutalised population.   The plot itself also relied a little heavily on contrivance and simplification to explain the actions of the protagonists…why was RJ Holt so keen to recover a journal that didn’t seem to contain anything particularly incriminating? And why didn’t Jake indulge the specious legal ramblings of Silas and save her island, the trees and humanity itself? “And, most important of all, she’ll establish a lab in this very office and hire Knut back, along with the world’s brightest minds in dendrology, and together they’ll discover a cure for the withering that will save the trees not only here, but everywhere.” And so it was, that as we cantered towards the final chapters at a rewarding pace, I experienced a sinking feeling that the storyline was going to just peter out rather than conclude… a little like the Greenwood family itself and the ravaged earth that they had lived on.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are some of England’s most remarkable natural places. With over 4,100 sites across the country, they showcase the very best of our wildlife, habitats, and geology - collectively covering around 1.1 million hectares (about 8% of England). Owning a SSSI woodland is a special opportunity. As a custodian of one of these nationally important areas, you play a meaningful part in protecting and enhancing our natural heritage for generations to come. Many owners find this a rewarding way to connect more deeply with their land and its wildlife.  Beyond their conservation value, SSSIs can also offer quiet places for recreation, provide opportunities for scientific study, and deliver wider benefits such as clean water, flood management, carbon storage, and pollination. Because of their importance, some activities on SSSIs need to be carefully managed. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 sets out a list of operations that require consent from Natural England before going ahead—such as tree work, drainage changes, or certain types of recreational activity. Most owners find the process straightforward, and it helps ensure that any work supports the special features of the site. More guidance is available at Sites of special scientific interest: managing your land - GOV.UK When purchasing land, conveyancing checks will normally confirm whether it lies within a SSSI. You can also explore this yourself via the MAGIC map system, and further information about individual sites is available at designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk. Natural England is there to help. Through good management advice, and tailored guidance, they work alongside landowners to support positive management and help sites deliver for nature recovery. Open communication is encouraged, as is collaboration with neighbouring landowners—particularly for larger-scale matters such as deer or squirrel management. Many traditional woodland practices, including coppicing, natural regeneration, and managing invasive species, fit well with SSSI conservation and are often recommended. Some protected features may be less visible, such as fungi or particular bird communities, but the focus is on looking after the habitats that support them. Although caring for a SSSI may feel like a responsibility at first, it can be hugely rewarding. Owners frequently enjoy the sense of purpose, connection to nature, and contribution to biodiversity. Support, advice, and in many cases grant or stewardship options are available—meaning even small woodland owners can make a real and lasting positive difference. Adrian Jowitt  Principal advisor on woodland policy, Natural England.

Researchers from the Open University have studied how ancient woodland habitats have changed in recent times.  Of the 43 woodlands studied; some were near to urban areas, whereas others were sited in rural locations.  The change in the nature of these woodlands was ‘measured’ by comparing historical records, herbarium specimens and surveys of the woodlands with present day surveys and analysis.   The study was particularly interested in ‘indicator species’ (eg bluebells, yellow archangel) associated with ancient woodland. Ancient woodland indicators are generally slow to colonise, but may be ‘stress tolerant’ and can persist after woodland disturbance or indeed, tree removal.  The study looked at how they fared with the spread of non-native species, such as the Spanish Bluebell, Rhododendron ponticum, swamp stonecrop (Crassula helmsii), Buddleja davidii, and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica). These can outcompete native species, leading to local extinctions.  Woodlands near urban areas might be expected to be affected by the spread of such plants from gardens, parks etc. Pollution, which degrades air quality and also affects nutrient availability.  This may be due to fertiliser run-off from agricultural land or particulates and heavy metals from roads / industry.  Rural woodlands are perhaps more likely to experience fertiliser run-off than urban ones, this can increase nitrate and phosphate levels in the soil.  However, the drainage of particulates and various pollutants from roads and motorways has recently been recognised as problematic. The research indicated that the presence of native species in both urban and rural areas was relatively unaffected over the last thirty years.  However, the number of non-native or alien species in urban woodlands has risen significantly, affecting their species make-up. Thus, the study identified a large number of alien species recorded in ancient woodlands near to urban settings but these are largely absent from rural sites.   Biotic homogenisation can occur as non-woodland and alien species start to move into our ancient woodlands, leading to changes in the native plant communities.  A significant  proportion of ancient woodland in England is near to urban sites.  Clearly, there is a need for improved and careful monitoring of ancient woodlands near urban areas. 

In many ways, both plants and animals slow down in winter.  Many trees drop their leaves throughout Autumn,  diverting any useful materials to storage in the roots or stem.  Herbaceous plants may wither and die, passing the coldest months as seeds, whilst others overwinter as bulbs, corms or rhizomes. Simliar strategies are seen animals.  Some species enter in to a state of torpor, for example some butterfly adults.  Whilst insects, interrupt their life cycle spending the winter in an immature or arrested state of development [or diapause], such as an egg or pupa.  Others animals pass the cold, winter months in a state of brumation.  This is seen mainly in amphibians and reptiles; it is not dissimilar to hibernation, which is seen in some species of mammals.  During brumation, the heart and respiratory rate fall, and the animal becomes relatively inactive and ‘hidden away’.  However they are still relatively aware of their surroundings and environment and periodically wake up to drink or eat, or indeed bask in the sun if there is a warm interlude. Hibernation on the other hand is seen in some bats, rodents and bears.  Hibernation is not as simple as the animal ‘going to sleep’, it involves profound changes in their physiology.  A number of hormones are involved, for example melatonin, insulin and thyroxin - their combined effect is to lower the metabolic rate.  One animal that goes into hibernation is the hazel dormouse.  [caption id="attachment_37873" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A Hazel Dormouse that has made a nest in a bird box[/caption] It forms a ‘nest’, made out of leaves, bits of bramble etc or it may find a hidden, sheltered place in the roots of trees.  Whilst hibernating they are at risk of predation by foxes, wild boars, owls and domestic cats, if the nest is discovered. If a dormouse has not accumulated enough fat reserves then it will simply run out of energy during the cold weather. It has been estimated that a dormouse loses about 0.5% of its body weight every day during hibernation. They enter into full hibernation when the weather is particularly  harsh.  The recent milder winters have ‘done them no favours’.   Come the Spring, they awaken and forage for food in trees and hazel thickets, feeding on flowers, fruits (e.g. blackberries), insects (aphids, caterpillars) and mature nuts. Their diet changes with the seasons, they are successional feeders. Their habitat of deciduous woodland and hedgerows must offer a variety of woody shrub and tree species to ensure a constant supply of food. Honeysuckle, oak, bramble and hazel are important sources of food to them.  Recent DNA analysis of their droppings identified some 40 species of plants and four species of insect (Lepidoptera and Diptera). Woodlands TV has produced a film about the hazel dormouse - which can be viewed below. [embed]https://youtu.be/COUh5ZluEew?si=xliXKZ7jmj_bhwEJ[/embed] This film was made in collaboration with the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES). More information on the PTES’ monitoring and conservation of hazel dormice can be accessed by clicking here, Note that a licence is required for handling these special animals, details in this link :- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hazel-dormice-survey-or-research-licence-level-1. WoodlandsTV 86.6k subscribers Conservation and Monitoring of Hazel Dormice (part 1) Interesting fact : Though Ireland has no native dormouse, the hazel dormouse was found in County Kildare in 2010.

A surge in ladybird populations took place this summer. The seven spot ladybird is native to the UK.  "Millions" of the beetles invaded beaches and even cricket matches during the various heat waves.  At seaside venues, ladybirds massed on the beaches, landed on sunbathers, and covered cars.  The last time that we experienced a similar increase in ladybirds was during the hot (and dry) summer of 1976, though there have been sporadic ‘booms’ in the intervening years.   The surge in ladybird (particularly the seven spot ladybird) numbers can be attributed to :- The warm weather in early Spring and Summer An abundance of food in the form of greenfly and blackfly (aphids).  Their numbers also increased with the warm weather, as their life cycle moves at a faster rate.   Aphids enter into a cycle where female aphids can give birth to live young, without fertilisation.  A process known as parthenogenesis. Ladybirds in gardens help control aphids on roses and other plants by feeding on them.  They are very effective predators.  Predators have key role in keeping the balance of nature. As the temperature falls, ladybirds look for places to overwinter. Native ladybirds tend to hibernate under logs, rocks, and in tree litter.  The harlequin ladybird which is an invasive asian species, may enter our homes. AS harlequin ladybirds have been introduced from warmer regions, so they seek out the warmth that houses offer.  People have found them on windows, doors and walls.  It is advisable to close windows and doors to limit their entry.  In their home range, harlequin ladybirds probably hibernate in big clusters in caves, hollow trees and other sheltered places.  Here their search for warmth tends to occur at the start of October.  Harlequin ladybirds are mainly to be found in the South-East though they have been spreading northwards. They have been implicated in the decline of native species.  Interestingly, they harbour a sexually transmitted disease but not the sort that can affect us. It is a fungus [the Laboulbeniales fungus] that forms scales on the wing cases (elytra), which cover and protect their wings, or it appears as a yellow, finger-like outgrowths of the body. The fungus feeds off vital internal fluids. It is passed on through contact during mating or when the harlequin ladybirds huddle together whilst hibernating. [caption id="attachment_42748" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Larva of ladybird[/caption]  

Mineral deposits (such as those containing copper.or tin) slowly release ions into the surrounding soils.  This release of ions occurs through chemical processes such as oxidation or through the activity of microbes.  Because of these processes, it is often the case that metals such as lead, cadmium, nickel and mercury can be found in plants.  Indeed, some are referred to as hyper accumulators. Such plants might be used in phytomining.  This would involve growing hyper-accumulator plants on a metal-rich soil, harvesting the plants and then burning the plant biomass down to an ash  from which the metal might be reclaimed.   This would make sense economically where the metals were rare or of high intrinsic value.  In Finland, two species of willow trees (Salix schwerini and Salix viminalis) have been studied as agents of phytoremediation.  These trees can grow in acidic soils and can cope with with copper, zinc, nickel, chromium or lead contamination.  Initial research indicates that willows can help reduce zinc levels withinin six years under favourable conditions, though nickel, copper and chromium take much longer. New research at the Finnish University of Oulu has indicated that even gold may move into certain plants.  The research team were studying Norway Spruce trees that were growing in the mineral deposit above a gold mine.  They took samples from a number of trees and analysed the leaves, and found that some had gold nanoparticles within the leaves. These minute particles were surrounded by bacterial films. It would seem that certain spruce associated bacteria can help transform soluble gold from the soil into solid particles within the leaves.   The ‘soluble gold’ enters from the soil and is transported up to the needle-like leaves, where it is precipitated into solid form. The size of the particles is indeed microscopic, being only about a millionth of a millimetre in size.  Far too small to be extracted for commercial use.   The process of biomineralisation is poorly understood, but it seems that certain endophytic bacteria (those that live within the plant) play a role in the process.  

In May 2025 my husband was on one of his usual runs and saw a sign saying woodlands for sale. We have looked for many years for a piece of land near to our home and this one turned out to be 12 minutes from where we lived. We found the particulars and made a visit to a 24 acre parcel of land which had one third covered with ancient woodland, and the rest being a pony paddock and a field. We put in an offer which was accepted and three months later we found ourselves the custodians of this beautiful 24 acre site . The land when we took it over 3 weeks ago was in quite a poor state. The previous owner had solely used it for her 3 horses, so the ancient woodlands, which contain mostly broadleaf oaks, was neglected and is in need of a huge amount of work. On walking the site over the last few weeks we have discovered a huge amount of fallen trees, very saturated ground and poorly cared for trees. The amount of brambles and nettles on the site is astronomical and will be a mammoth task to clear. In the last week we have managed to strim a path right around the perimeter to our fence line. The site has become our “happy place “ which our adult children also love. We have big plans for its future, creating paths, educating future generations and becoming good caretakers for the future of this beautiful place. “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our future generations.”