News from the world of trees 2020 #2

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

Tesla can fell pines for factory

A German court has given electric car maker Tesla permission to clear forest to build a manufacturing plant, says the Guardian…

Sweden’s forest policy wreaks havoc

Sweden presents itself as a global torchbearer on the environment, but its forest policy is wreaking havoc. The EU must act to stop it, write five European NGOs on the Euractiv news site…

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Winter Photography Scavenger Hunt – February

Monochrome: An advert for the recent Welsh Open snooker tournament in Cardiff features mainly shades of brown

In December I signed up for the Winter Photography Scavenger Hunt hosted by Eileen on her A Bracelet of Days blog. Here’s her introduction to the hunt.

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The Tyrannosaur of Mermaid Quay

Animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, for the schools’ half-term holiday

I made a special morning trip to Mermaid Quay between heavy showers to catch a view of “Quay Rex”, an animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex moved in for next week’s school half-term holidays.

I heard its roar before I saw it, as I walked through between the shops to Tacoma Square, where the restaurants have a view of Cardiff Bay. It sounded a bit like a steam train preparing to move off.

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2020 tree following 2: Nothing to see here

Turkish hazels in front of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay

Perhaps I should have left it until February to launch my tree following for 2020, as there is nothing new to report since my first bulletin in January.

The Turkish hazel or Turkish filbert (Corylus colurna) trees in Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay, are still dormant.

There has been one change – the small, strange metal sculpture of a Boudica character shown last time among the trees has disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

Here are my photographs from February 5.

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Tree following link box for February 2020

Dead beech leaves and buds ready to sprout in February 2020

The tree-following link box has now closed for another month.

I find it hard to believe that one month of the new year has already gone. Although the weather is still very changeable here in South Wales, on a clear day I can feel that spring is on its way and in fact I did find myself spring cleaning, decluttering and putting some seed potatoes to chit on my window ledge at the weekend.

You will find everyone’s updates below, so enjoy exploring…

Alison at the Blackberry Garden – quince – the first green

Frances at Island Threads, off the North West coast of Scotland – Fagus sylvatica in Lews Castle grounds

Erika Groth in Sweden – tree in the snow – possibly Salix

Flighty’s Plot – Liz’s white oak in Lexington, Kentucky, and Mike’s plum tree

Pat – Squirrelbasket – Cardiff, Wales – Turkish hazel in Roald Dahl Plass

JayP – Amblings around Penwith (Cornwall) – Cornus kousa

Hollis – In the Company of Plants and Rocks – Laramie, Wyoming – trees in LaBonte Park

If you are new to tree following, read all about the idea here.

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed in February. Why not join us? You could start looking for a tree to observe at any time of year, but between now and spring is usually a good time. Just point us to any tree-related post you would like to share, using the link box published on the 7th of each month and lasting for a week. Although we all try to publish every month, we are very forgiving if you post less often.

See you next month…

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