Whispers in the trees
The woods on the hills above my home are being cut down. It’s drastic, leaving bare scars above the Usk Valley that make me wince.
But I’ve walked in these woods hundreds of times and understand the reasons. It’s an old plantation; a heavy utilitarian blanket of larch and Douglas fir planted post-war on steep ‘unproductive’ slopes for future financial gain. Alas, the trees were soon abandoned and only the Welsh wind has done any thinning out. Finally, a new landowner has removed most of the decaying conifers and replanted with the mix of broadleaf and evergreen that once stood here. It will be better, though the resident goshawk might disagree.
It’s a very visible illustration of our changing attitude to trees and forestry – and autumn is an excellent time to take stock, particularly as it’s 100 years since the formation of the Forestry Commission. On page 48, Charles Watkins looks at how forestry is becoming more sympathetic to wildlife and human visitors and an increasingly important weapon in the battle against climate change.
Traditionally, the autumnal tree harvest provides us with so many resources, from timber for crafts (meet Charlie Whinney the wood-bender, page
40) to fruit preserves (see Pam the Jam, page 70). But trees are sometimes best appreciated by simply walking among them. From the big-tree country of Perthshire (page 18) to cherries in your local park, grab every chance to witness the benign golden and red fires raging in the canopies of our woods.