PLANT OF THE WEEK
A hazel bedecked with goldenyellow catkins is an uplifting sight in January and February. The long flowering spikes, of Corylus avellana, known as lambs’ tails, hang decoratively from bare branches.
These are the male flowers but it is the tiny bud like female flowers that will develop into hazelnuts.
Native to the UK, hazel has been used for centuries for coppicing – the practice of cutting the stems down to the base, allowing new shoots to grow which can then be cropped. It supports wildlife such as nesting birds, food for moths, and nuts for squirrels and dormice. Corylus ‘Contorta’ is the corkscrew hazel which was discovered as a natural mutation in an English hedgerow in the 19th century. Its wonderfully twisted stems make a beautiful sculptural winter display and is much prized by florists for its unusual appearance.
The UK Government has issued advice on flying drones legally – remember that if your drone weighs more than 250g you’ll likely need a licence to fly it. In addition the Government says you must:
Know how to fly your drone safely, and do so within the law
Understand that the operator is legally responsible for every flight
Keep your drone in sight at all times and stay below 400ft
Not fly your drone over a congested area, never fly within 50 metres of a person, vehicle or building not under your control
Ensure any images you obtain using the drone do not break privacy laws
Never fly a drone near an airport or close to aircraft. It is a criminal offence to endanger the safety of an aircraft in flight.
Follow the Drone Code – find it at dronesafe.uk/ drone-code/