News from the world of trees 2017 #2

Here is another selection of tree news articles from around the world. Click on each of the pictures if you would like to read the full stories.

Opposition to Scottish tree-planting scheme

Gamekeepers and mountaineers oppose a major tree-planting plan, says the Guardian…

– but writer says you can’t have too many trees

In a comment piece, Patrick Barkham disagrees with the opponents of the Scottish tree planting…

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From the non-digital archive: Garden Festival 1992

The red dragon of Wales at the Ebbw Vale Garden Festival in 1992

I can’t believe that 2017 sees the 25th anniversary of the Ebbw Vale Garden Festival that brought two million visitors to Blaenau Gwent in South East Wales.

The festival lasted six months, from May until October and transformed a derelict industrial wasteland into a blossoming landscape nearly two miles long.

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2017 tree following 1: The chosen 100

At first these were mystery trees…

All can now be revealed. After weeks of searching for a new tree to follow for 2017, I have made my decision.

Along the way I have encountered many characterful trees. There were other trees in Llandaff Fields, like my first tree, the hornbeam. There were other trees in Bute Park, like my second tree, the Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa). There were other trees in Thompson’s Park, like last year’s oak, The Pigeon Tree.

But part of the fun is exploring a different field or park every year. That’s why I went walking in the Blackweir area along the River Taff in Cardiff.

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Tree following link box for February 2017

What’s wrong with this picture? The Bute Park label says Torreya nucifera – Japanese nutmeg tree, family Taxaceae. Think about it and I will tell you what’s wrong later…

The February tree-following link box is now closed, but at the bottom of this post you will find links to the excellent contributions we received this month.

You will see that some people have already chosen a new tree for 2017 – but why not join us? There’s no rush, you can join in at any time and you don’t really have to do it every single month if that’s too much. If you are new to tree following, read all about it here.

But for now back to that “Japanese nutmeg tree”. I was intrigued by its label when I spotted it nearly a year ago, and even considered following it. But the other day I realised a big mistake…

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Ancient seabeds at Southerndown

Glamorgan Heritage Coast at Southerndown, seen from the viewing point in Dunraven Park on the clifftop

When I visited Dunraven at Southerndown on Christmas Day (see blog post here) I did say I would tell you some more about the cliffs of the Heritage Coast itself. So here goes.

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