News from the world of trees 2017 #9

Here is my final selection of tree news articles from around the world in 2017. Click on each of the pictures if you would like to read the full stories.

Yolka – from pagan origins to Soviet celebrations

Hannah Weber in the Calvert Journal tells the story of Russia’s New Year Tree…

Hello Wood builds festive trees

Budapest-based architectural firm Hello Wood has continued its annual tradition of constructing wooden Christmas trees, this year expanding the programme with five trees in European cities, reports ArchDaily – with some lovely images…

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Sitting on the dock of the Bay

A general view of Cardiff Bay with the Water Tower fountain feature in front of the Wales Millennium Centre

One of the delights of working in Cardiff Bay is the proximity of so many wonderful sights to enjoy during the lunch-hour. For nearby is Mermaid Quay, at the heart of the “vibrant” development surrounding the 500-acre freshwater lake created by the building of the Cardiff Barrage, opened (or closed) in 1999 to impound the tidal waters of the rivers Taff and Ely.

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Merry Christmas everyone!

This was one of the RSPB Christmas cards I sent out this year – it’s Twilight’s Keeper by Dawn Maciocia. Click on the image to go to the RSPB website…

After a hectic few weeks in my new job at County Hall and spending all my spare time writing Christmas cards and letters, it’s time to sit back and admire all the cards we have received this year. Here are just a few of the charity-card designs that caught my eye. As usual, click on the image to go to the source.

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2017 tree following 11: Autumnal orange at last

Some of the 100 elms (Ulmus ‘New Horizon’) in Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff

My tree following has not been totally successful this month. On Sunday, November 26, I was passing by and noticed that the 100 elms (Ulmus ‘New Horizon’) in Cardiff’s Pontcanna Fields were a lovely orange colour at last. It was a grey day but I thought I should catch the colour while I had the chance, so I snapped these pictures.

I had hoped to return last Sunday, expecting to see the trees almost bare, but I didn’t get out of the house, as it was snowing – and not in a good, picturesque way, but in a dank, slushy way.

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Tree following link box for December 2017

A fallen leaf of a Norway maple (Acer platanoides) in the garden, resting on leaves of sweet violet

The tree-following link box has now closed for another month. To explore everyone’s updates, please go straight to the bottom of this post.

Here in Cardiff there are very few leaves left on the trees as we move into winter, although the latest into leaf last spring seem to be the last to lose their foliage, too.

Here I include the hornbeam (‎Carpinus betulus) street trees and my 100 elms, which I visited early this time to make sure I caught at least some of the autumn colour.

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