On Sunday, May 17th, a group of tree enthusiasts wandered from one end of the woods to the other. Staring at and poking 10 of our biggest and oldest veterans.
The champion tree, a rare Variegated Oak (Quercus Robur Variegata), was looking brilliant in its spring variegated leaves, surrounded by our hybrid rhododendron.
The variegated leaves of the Champion Tree
Ponticum rhododendrons can outgrow and take over woodland areas if not carefully managed, but you tend to forgive them in the spring when they are as beautiful as this.
Stealing the show was ‘Pink Pearl’, with its huge pink flowers turning to a pearly white as they mature.
Pink Pearl, one of our hybrid rhododendrons
With over 36 veteran trees in our woods, it was impossible to visit them all, so we chose the biggest and most beautiful.
A veteran Sweet chestnut tree
Our largest veteran in the woods is this sweet chestnut, with peeling bark and hollows that create many irreplaceable habitats for hundreds of species and can take your breath away.
Spring is the most beautiful time of year in our woods, which are beautiful in every season.
The whole group agreed that we are very lucky to have them.
🐞🌺🌳🪲🌺🌳🐝