Wildlife watch Trail will be fab way to learn about trees
Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve Ranger Laura Preston would like to talk about trees.
Exciting things are happening at the Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve this week!
We are launching our brand new Winter Tree Identification self-guided trail, which will be ready for the weekend.
Regular visitors to the reserve will have seen our Wildflower Trail along the boardwalk and the tree trail will follow the same concept.
Each species of tree will be represented with a small panel with information about identifying features and an amazing fact about it.
As you walk along the boardwalk, look out for these panels either on or next to the tree.
We have been very lucky to have this trail beautifully illustrated by one of my very talented interns, Rebecca Crawford.
The boardwalk is only a short fiveminute walk onto the reserve from the village of New Lanark, so there is no excuse not to come out and learn some tree ID.
One tree that will be under the spotlight is the alder (pictured) or if you want to be fancy, Alnus glutinosa.
Alder is one of my favourite trees, which loves wet areas and being alongside rivers and streams.
It is beautifully ‘adorned’ with miniature cone-like fruits, which can be found throughout the winter.
It also has amazing purple ‘boxing glove’ shaped buds, which makes this tree really easy to identify.
It is said that alder leaves, when placed in your shoes at the beginning of a long journey, will cool the feet and prevent swelling.
That’s something to remember the next time you go out for a walk on the reserve, although you might get a few funny looks!
Green dye can be derived from the flowers, and it was said to be used in camouflaging the clothing of outlaws like Robin Hood, as well as the clothes of faeries, to conceal them from human eyes!